Book 8 - Parliament of Victoria

ADJOURNMENT
Wednesday, 1 June 2011 COUNCIL 1669
would want, or they will flock in large numbers to the
dental hospital.
Putting aside the considerable extra time and expense
involved in travelling to that facility, especially with the
new train timetables and the higher public transport
costs since this government has been elected, we have
the potential for far too many people to be seeking care
and attention at that one site when the service could be
better administered at two sites: the dental hospital and
the dental service in the western region. That makes
absolute sense to me.
In relation to this matter I congratulate a fellow member
of this house, Bernie Finn, for also calling upon his own
government to show support and solid commitment to
this dental service. I also wish to thank Ms Colleen
Hartland for showing her concern and support for this
key need within our electorate. If the facility is shut
down, it will cause serious harm within the community,
and that would be simply unacceptable. I ask the
minister to immediately visit the centre to learn why
urgent funding is imperative for that service in Western
Metropolitan Region and to do so without
discrimination.
Children: Take a Break program
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria) — My matter
this evening is for Ms Lovell, the Minister for Children
and Early Childhood Development. It is regrettable that
Ms Lovell is not in the chamber this evening as this is
an important issue that requires a reasonably urgent
response by the government. It relates to the impact of
the funding cut to the Take a Break occasional
child-care program in Golden Plains shire. In my
electorate — and I am sure it is the case for many other
members — many families rely on the Take a Break
occasional child-care funding, which has now been
slashed. This occasional child-care service in these
communities will be affected by the cut to funding from
the end of December this calendar year.
In the Golden Plains shire there are four communities
that use the occasional child-care service — Inverleigh,
Haddon, Rokewood and Meredith. Around 80 families
use the service. The reduction in funding that flows
from Ms Lovell’s decision will mean a price rise of
around 35 per cent: $23 a session will become $31 a
session. As members may be aware, child care is
incredibly price sensitive. In Golden Plains shire the
proportion of child-care places that will be seriously
impacted by this decision is four out of six.
I know that Liberal Party members understand the
seriousness of this issue. Mrs Peulich — who is in the
house, unlike the minister — raised her concerns about
this issue when the federal government was considering
its position on funding. Mrs Peulich said at the time:
Each and every electorate will be impacted. This will
diminish what working mums can do in terms of the
acquisition of skills and taking advantage of learning
opportunities.
Child care has not fared very well under Labor at either the
state or federal level …
However, now the Liberal Party is in government and
this decision is in the hands of Ms Lovell — —
Honourable members interjecting.
Ms PULFORD — It is worth noting, as
Mrs Peulich interjects, that Mr Finn joined in when
Mrs Peulich was making her contribution and said even
children, not just child care, have not fared well under
Labor.
Mrs Peulich interjected.
Ms PULFORD — I am glad Mrs Peulich is
enjoying it. For the benefit of members, Mrs Peulich
suggested then that the minister do her job or give it up.
The PRESIDENT — Order! Time!
Debate interrupted.
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
The PRESIDENT — Order! Before I call the
minister I acknowledge the Honourable Barry Bishop, a
former Deputy President of the Legislative Council,
who is in the gallery. Mr Bishop was a very competent
member of this chamber for some years. We welcome
Mr Bishop back for a visit.
Debate resumed.
ADJOURNMENT
Responses
Hon. P. R. HALL (Minister for Higher Education
and Skills) — Ten matters were raised tonight on the
adjournment. I might follow the order of those most
recently raised, starting at the 10th and working
backwards, because the matter raised by Ms Pulford is
the same as the matter raised by Ms Broad, and it
concerns the Take a Break occasional child-care
program. I will pass them on to my colleague, the