Friday, 28 August 2026

 Jacinta ERMACORA (Western Victoria) (09:49): In April 2023 I met with the mayors and chief executives of the south-west region of Victoria in Dunkeld, and they expressed to me that their priority was the shortage of child care in the region and the economic impacts that were happening. I am very happy to report today that the Portland Early Learning Victoria centre has been operating since February but was formally opened last month, and there are 103 places there. We announced a 103-place early learning centre at Warrnambool in partnership with Deakin University as well, and that will bring back the bachelor of early childhood degree to the region. Also, in Hamilton in the same week I announced a 102-place early learning centre at Baimbridge College. This constitutes a comprehensive response by the Carroll government to the childcare needs of the south-west community. I want to thank Minister Blandthorn for being willing to listen to these ideas from South West TAFE, Deakin Uni, me and Warrnambool City Council on these issues, and we will be addressing both the shortage of skills and the shortage of child care.