State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said regional childcare is set to suffer.
The Victorian Government, however, points to plans it has to open 50 childcare centres across the state, including one in Seymour - but that could still be years away.
“When it comes to childcare, we are seeing another backwards step by this government,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Seymour’s childcare centre was one of 50 initially planned for the state, yet it seems that it will just end up being another broken promise.
“It was bad enough when Labor said it would take until 2028 for the new centre to open, and now it has been delayed indefinitely as Labor ‘slows down’ their childcare rollout.”
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the Liberal and National parties moved a reasoned amendment in both the legislative assembly and legislative council to prevent Labor from delivering on its 50 Early Learning Centre commitment.
“Despite this, we are continuing to contribute to the Commonwealth’s responsibility to provide childcare access by establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning and childcare centres across the state, including one in Seymour,” she said.
“The first 30 of these centres will open by 2028, with an additional five opening every year until 2032. Importantly, 29 centres will be located in regional Victoria, helping to meet local demand for kindergarten and childcare in our regional communities.
“We are working with Mitchell Shire Council to identify the preferred site for the future Seymour early learning and childcare centre, including considering the co-located early childhood services that will best meet the needs of the community.
“We will continue to advocate to the Australian Government for increased childcare availability and funding solutions to ensure that Victorian families across the state have access to childcare.”
Ms Cleeland says regional Victoria has been suffering from significant issues relating to the accessibility and availability of childcare for a long time, and that the Victorian Government’s inability to successfully deliver childcare facilities was only making this more difficult.
“Sadly, so many communities across our state, including several across the Euroa electorate, are set to remain without childcare despite desperately needing them,” she said.
“Towns like Avenel, Seymour, Nagambie, Broadford and more are all struggling with outrageous wait lists caused by a lack of childcare and early learning facilities.
“Not having facilities will have a massive impact on the town’s future – with families choosing to relocate most of their lives to bigger centres like Shepparton.
“Labor’s attempted rollout of new childcare centres across the state have been a disaster, with our region set to have only gone backwards in this sector and the government single-handedly compounding the crisis.
“This government time and time again has shown they can’t manage money, they can’t manage a project, and they can’t deliver accessible childcare for our regional communities.”
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