Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is calling for more money to be written – in stone – in the May budget for local schools and childcare facilities.

Ms Benham says there are critical works and vital upgrades required to schools in her electorate – and expanded childcare infrastructure needed right across the region – so children and families can get the best possible support and start to life.

“There is already enormous demand for childcare throughout our region,” she said.

“The recent study by Associate Professor Peter Hurley from the Mitchell Institute identified 100 per cent of our region as a childcare desert.”

“Red Cliffs is without childcare, and at its March meeting, Mildura Rural City Council moved to support the submission of a Building Blocks Grant (Capacity) application for a new integrated early years hub.

“Not only does this impact on families, its economic fall-out is massive, as employers across the board find it almost impossible to lure people to regional towns where this is not enough childcare to support working couples.”

In Buloke Shire

Ms Benham also says there are several other areas within the electorate demanding a focus on early childhood learning.

Such as Buloke Shire, which is working through getting a provider into its brand new centre, but it has been two years now and 12 children on the waiting list.

“This results in teachers not being able to go back to work in rural/regional settings, always looking for education providers and staff, not to mention healthcare professionals who have told me if they are unable to find adequate childcare so they can return to work, they will be forced to leave the area,” Ms Benham says.

“Manangatang is a brilliant community with some of the most innovative cereal producers in the state calling the district home, and yet investment in its future has been non-existent.”

Upgrades

“It’s equally imperative the state budget provides the long-awaited funding for upgrades to the science and computer labs and to expand and enhance the increasingly valuable agriculture industry in the region with a new ag study area.

“It just beggars belief the Government doesn’t have the foresight to recognise the need for investment of taxpayer dollars in these areas which grow our food, and the families who have been raised here for generations doing that irreplaceable job.

“We’re not asking for the moon and the stars, we just want our fair share, we want nothing more than the proportional share the Nationals promised to deliver if elected.

“It’s imperative Labor listens to our local student needs, their families and the local economy, and deliver the funding required to ensure our local schools and communities can continue to prosper and grow.”

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 2 May 2023.