Constituency question

February 8, 2022

Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (13:32):

My constituency question is to the Minister for Early Childhood (Hon. Ingrid Stitt MP) regarding the need for a kindergarten and maternal and child health centre in Lancefield.

Macedon Ranges council undertook forecasting of its service modelling, which has confirmed Lancefield will be under strain in the future without dedicated kindergarten and maternal and child health services in its growing community.

Lancefield has no dedicated maternal and child health service, and the current kindergarten requires financial investment in the coming years to be fit for purpose. The council estimates funding of $1.85 million is required from the state government.

We know the critical importance of the first thousand days to the trajectory of a child’s life outcomes. So my question is: will the government fund the development of a contemporary, purpose-built kindergarten and maternal and child health centre in Lancefield?