PROMISED free kindergarten for parents in drought-affected communities across Victoria came under fire after it emerged that it would instead be means-tested against eligibility criteria.
The Victorian Government announced, as part of the drought assistance package last November that free kindergarten would be available to families living in 10 drought-affected local government areas, including the shires of Gannawarra and Loddon.
But, Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh said Premier Daniel Andrews was caught out on his promise.
Mr Walsh said parents are being told by the Department of Education that free kindergarten is not for everyone and will be means tested against eligibility criteria.
“When Daniel Andrews announced free kinder, he never mentioned eligibility criteria or means testing,” Mr Walsh said.
In a subsequent statement, the Victoria Government clarified “confusion caused by the Coalition’s misinformation campaign”.
“The government is writing to kinders and local governments to make it clear the range of support available for them and local families,” the statement read.
“To make it easier, families will be automatically eligible for free kinder if they live within one of the 10 local government drought-affect areas.”
Mr Walsh said it was a win for local families, but it shouldn’t have needed Daniel Andrews to be “shamed on the floor of Parliament to deliver his promise”.
“For weeks, the Andrews Government has been telling families that the free kinder program wasn’t meant for everyone,” he said.
“If it wasn’t for the Coalition raising this on behalf of the many families who contacted us, parents would still be subjected to means-testing to get free kinder.
“Daniel Andrews should apologise to kindergartens and families for the stress and confusion he’s caused them.”
