By Cam Lucadou-Wells
City of Greater Dandenong has endorsed a multi-council campaign to fight impending federal cuts to kindergarten funding.
Cr Matthew Kirwan, who raised the motion, said it’s feared that parents will be charged an extra $2000 if the Federal Government doesn’t continue its funding after 2019.
Otherwise, state and local governments would have to fund the shortfall.
As part of the I Love Kinder campaign, the councils will advocate for the Federal Government to continue funding of five hours a week of four-year-old kindergarten services for each student.
Currently, the State Government funds 10 hours a week, making a total of 15 subsidised hours under a national agreement between the federal, state and territory governments.
In May, the Federal Government pulled out of the agreement. The Opposition has pledged to restore the agreement, if elected.
Cr Kirwan said it was essential that children in Greater Dandenong were able to attend 15 hours of kindergarten for the “best possible start to life”.
“In a multicultural municipality with significant levels of disadvantage, Greater Dandenong families rely on quality, well-funded, public kindergarten services.”
I Love Kinder is supported by the Municipal Association of Victoria and councils such as Wyndham, Casey, Hume, Monash, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges.
