General News
29 August, 2024
McArthur questions cost of free kinder
MEMBER for Western Victoria Bev McArthur has accused the State Government of “claiming the credit” while councils were left to pick up the bill for free kindergarten.
Speaking in Parliament recently, Mrs McArthur questioned the way free kindergarten was funded by the Government, saying councils were left picking up “significant parts of the bill”.
“Minister (for Children and Disability Lizzie Blandthorn), the Economy and Infrastructure Committee is conducting an inquiry into local government funding and services, and it is no surprise to hear the Allan Labor government’s inability to manage money is now forcing councils across Victoria to reduce or cut services for their residents,” she said.
“I have long said that free kinder is not free for ratepayers.
“Council after council told us the burden of the Allan Labor government’s promises falls on ratepayers and budgets are at breaking point.
“Are you going to provide free kinder, in full, to all residents in Victoria – ratepayers in Victoria – or do the ratepayers have to pick up the bill? Are you going to provide all the costs or not?”
Mrs Blandthorn responded to Mrs McArthur’s questions during Questions Without Notice, saying she was “more than happy” to discuss the benefits of free kindergarten.
“We have free kinder funding, which for local government-run sessional services is 30 to 40 per cent higher than average parent fees which were previously charged; a 40 per cent increase in funding for early years management for sessional services in 2024 compared to the 2021 funding rates…” she said.
Mrs Blandthorn said the government also contributed $4.8 million to expand the kindergarten central registration and enrolment scheme grants program, an increase of $1.6 million in previous years.
She also highlighted state government funding in the workforce planning support program grants for local councils, the $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms, and $5.2 million for the kindergarten infrastructure and services plan grants program.
“Three- and four-year-old kindergarten, we know, is of direct benefit to children,” Mrs Blandthorn said.
“It sets them up for their lifelong learning.
“Programs such as these and support such as this for councils to offer those kindergarten programs that are absolutely critical.”
Mrs Blandthorn said the Opposition needed to decide whether they support free kindergarten or not.
“Many of those opposite and many of those in the other place on your side of the chamber as well as ours are most welcoming of all of this support to ensure that in their local communities we are offering free kinder for children,” she said.
“Those opposite need to decide whether or not they support free kinder, and when we say ‘free kinder’ we are talking about the cost-of-living pressures for parents of three- and four-year-old children.
“We all know how expensive it is to raise a family, and we are providing free kinder to assist with that.
“The shadow minister wrote to me asking for us to be able to charge fees.
“She does not clearly support it, but you opposite need to decide whether or not you support it and whether you are on board with free kinder or not.”
Mrs McArthur claimed the grant application process for free kindergarten was “time-consuming and costly” for councils.
“Can you just confirm that free kinder is not free? Because you are not providing 100 per cent of the costs to provide your free kindergarten,” she said.
“Corangamite Shire Council estimate that they will need to find north of $10 million, and a different council CEO told us the Building Blocks grants on offer are increasingly not covering the full cost of new or upgraded kindergartens. So much for free kindergartens.
“Minister, forcing councils to come begging for grants then giving them less than they need lands local ratepayers with the bill for the difference.
“If you want to promise services, when will you pay the full cost yourself instead of writing cheques local councils have to cash?”