Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Ministers statements: cost of living

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:39): Our government is proud to be providing busy families with the cost-of-living support that they need, particularly at this point in time when those successive interest rate rises are having a real impact on families right across the state. We heard earlier in question time today from the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education about how we have just seen the serving of the 50 millionth school breakfast club meal at schools here in Victoria. While others were cutting Fresh Fruit Friday, we have been investing in school breakfast clubs.

We are investing in our younger learners as well, rolling out free kinder to all of our littlest of learners right across Victoria. It is great for those young Victorians to get a start on their education journey, but it is also saving families a massive $2500 per child on their kinder enrolments, and this is making a meaningful difference for families. Of course alongside free kinder we are providing more kinder places. We are creating more than 13,000 places across the state in new and expanded kinders, making sure that families have good, strong access to kinders closer to where they live.

I know the member for Northcote – you are getting a few shout-outs today, member for Northcote – knows all about the brand new kinders being delivered in her patch. The member for Bentleigh knows about the $14 million invested in his community. The member for Kororoit was with the Minister for Children to talk about another very important initiative, and that is the co-location of kinders with schools, helping busy families avoid that dreaded double drop-off. One drop-off for your kids each school morning takes pressure off busy families, alongside our kinder kits, our prep bags and the $2500 being saved in free kinder. These are the ways we are supporting busy Victorian families.