Tuesday, 26 November 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Windsor Community Children’s Centre

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:05): My question is for the Minister for Children. I refer to the Windsor Community Children’s Centre and the letter you received from the committee and your response to the committee, which was described on the Save Windsor Community Children’s Centre site as ‘baffling and disappointing’. Minister, will you confirm that you effectively dismissed the Windsor Community Children’s Centre’s plea for help?

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:05): Thank you, Mr Davis, for your question. I reject the premise of your question at the outset. I certainly know how important it is that every family can access child care and kindergarten in their local area, and as I am sure those opposite are aware, the Victorian government has primary responsibility for kindergarten programs. Indeed we are transforming kindergarten programs. We are transforming childhood education right across this state through our $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms. But I would also note, Mr Davis, and maybe you are confused about this, the Commonwealth government is principally responsible for child care, not the state government. Because the Commonwealth government have not stepped up to the plate and done what they are meant to do in relation to child care, we are doing things as part of our Best Start, Best Life reforms, like building 50 government owned and operated early learning centres. Let me be very clear: child care is a Commonwealth government responsibility, and the local concerns that have been raised in relation to the Windsor community childcare centre predominantly relate to access to community-based childcare provision. They are concerns which I know they have raised with the Commonwealth, and they should continue to raise them with the Commonwealth because they are primarily the Commonwealth’s responsibility.

That said, I can assure the member that the department is continuing to work closely with all of the parties, including the local council, to help ensure that all families have continued access to service provision and most certainly and importantly as part of our responsibilities and our Best Start, Best Life reforms that they have access to a local kindergarten program. But I want to be clear –

Ingrid Stitt interjected.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: That is right, as the former minister interjected – for free, a free kindergarten program, which those opposite still cannot actually clear up their position on, whether they support it or they do not support it; it depends on who you talk to. But discussions between the Windsor community childcare centre and Swinburne University of Technology are indeed a matter for those parties, and rezoning questions are currently matters for the Minister for Planning. That said, I was very happy to speak with a member of the Windsor community childcare centre just last sitting week who happened to be here in Parliament attending another event. So these conversations are ongoing.

I remind the chamber that it is a Commonwealth government responsibility, but as is the case, the Victorian government continues to step up where they step out. We are continuing to work to ensure that our Best Start, Best Life reforms are rolled out across the state and that every child has access to free kinder.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:08): The Facebook site of the community children’s centre says:

… Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has dismissed the issue, failing to protect WCCC and the land currently zoned for Public Use – Education.

It goes on to say:

This position by Minister Blandthorn is both baffling and disappointing, given that the WCCC operates on Victorian public land zoned for education and has historically provided a balanced mix of … 50% long day care and 50% kindergarten services.

The lack of state engagement on such a locally significant issue is deeply disappointing for our community.

I therefore ask the minister: will there be free three-year-old kinder at Windsor community childcare centre in 2026 and 2027?

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:09): I again thank Mr Davis for his question. I want to be clear: discussions between Windsor Community Children’s Centre and the Swinburne University of Technology are a matter for those parties, but what I want to be clear about is that since 2019 we have invested $2.4 million through more than 75 grants for early childhood in Stonnington.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, it is a very specific question about whether there will be three-year-old kinder at this site in 2026 and 2027.

The PRESIDENT: I will call the minister.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: This site is not a state government owned site. Commonwealth long day care, as you said, is their responsibility. The service is not a state government service, Mr Davis.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, the minister may have inadvertently misled the house. It is a site owned by Swinburne, which is a state government institution.

The PRESIDENT: That is a point of debate.

David Davis: It is owned by the Victorian taxpayer.

The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. Thank you. It is a point of debate.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: Let us be clear: since 2019 we have invested $2.4 million through more than 75 grants for early childhood projects in Stonnington so that every family in Stonnington can have their access –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, the minister is heading off on a frolic and ignoring the obvious fact that this is about one specific site. That is the point. She is not relevant.

The PRESIDENT: No, that was a point of debate, not a point of order.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: Those opposite do not seem to get it. Child care – long day care, as you said, Mr Davis – is the responsibility of the Commonwealth government. What our government is doing as part of our Best Start, Best Life reforms is ensuring that every child, including every child in Stonnington who is 3 or 4, has access to their kindergarten programs – (Time expired)

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:11): I move:

That the minister’s baffling and disappointing answer be taken into account on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.