Politics & Council
14 December, 2025
Feds give hope of lift in child care funds
THE FEDERAL Government has left the door open to increasing its commitment to child care in Loddon communities.
Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh has told the Loddon Herald the Government will deliver more centres “where families need them most”.
Communities in the north and the south of Loddon Shire are pushing for early learning centres - child care - but fear they could be played off against each with just $5 million allocated to the shire.
Supporters of young families in Boort and the southern cluster of Inglewood, Bridgewater, Serpentine, Newbridge and Tarnagulla campaigning for a centre last week said it would be unfair of the Government to have towns at opposite ends of the 6700 square kilometre shire forced into a competition.
But Senator Walsh said: “The Albanese Labor Government believes every child deserves access to early learning, no matter their postcode.
“That includes those in the Loddon Shire. We are committed to the delivery of $5 million for an early learning centre in the Loddon Shire.
“And the government’s $1 billion Building Early Education Fund will continue delivering more centres where families need them most, including in regional areas.”
Loddon Shire councillors last month backed a motion by Cr Miki Wilson (Inglewood Ward) and seconded by Cr David Weaver (Boort Ward) to call on governments to provide child care options in communities where it was needed.
The push for early learning centres at opposite ends of the shire has picked up support of health services and schools.
Inglewood and Districts Community Bank has committed $250,000 towards a southern centre and also assistance with training of potential staff.
Chisholm Institute says early childhood education and care is one of Australia’s biggest and fastest-growing sectors.
“There are already more than 260,000 educators nationwide, yet demand continues to outpace supply. In Victoria, population growth and expanded kindergarten programs are adding extra pressure, leaving many services struggling to find qualified staff,” the TAFE provider says.
Following release of a feasibility study, the bank says it will try to entice not-for-profit providers to open a centre in the shire’s south.
Loddon’s first centre will be opened by the State Government in Wedderburn in February.