Joint Media Release with the Victorian Minister for Children and Early Childhood Maxine Morand

Victorian Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Maxine Morand, and Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care, Maxine McKew, today announced that two new Early Learning and Care Centres will be built in Victoria.

Victorian communities are set to benefit from a $4.9 million investment by the Brumby and Rudd Government for new early learning centres in Yarraville and Port Melbourne.

Ms Morand said the construction of the centres marked a new co-operative approach for the benefit of Victorian families.

“The Brumby and Rudd Governments are taking action and investing in early years services which provide families with a comprehensive range of services to give Victorian families the best possible start in life,’’ Ms Morand said.

“The development of these centres will be great news to the local communities and Victoria, as we are in the midst of a once-in-a-generation baby boom.

“Over 73,000 babies were born in Victoria last year, and the birth rate has increase by 10 per cent over the past five years.’’

Ms McKew said each of the centres will meet the needs of local communities, providing additional long day care places and maternal and child health services.

“Australia’s future will be shaped by the support we provide for our children’s development today. The Rudd Government recognises that across Australia there are communities with an ongoing need for high quality, affordable child care and we are acting to meet that need.” Ms McKew said.

“Integrated facilities provide a diverse range of services in one convenient location supporting the health and development of children and families.’’

The Rudd Government will contribute $3.2 million towards the centres, with the Brumby Government contributing $1.7 million towards the centres; local governments will contribute the remainder.

The centres are part of the Australian Government’s $114.5 million commitment to have early learning and care centres operating in priority areas across Australia by 2010.

Ms Morand said the Brumby Government investment in these two early learning and care centres builds on its $43 million commitment to construct 95 children’s centres across Victoria.