THE State Government’s ‘Free Kinder’ program has been said to be ‘far from free’, and ratepayers are helping to foot the bill, according to key Local Government leaders.
A Parliamentary Inquiry into Local Government funding and services has revealed many regional councils are facing substantial financial and logistical challenges in delivering these ‘free’ services.
Warrnambool City Council chief executive, Andrew Mason said free kinder is “certainly not free to ratepayers”.
It was said that workforce challenges and the expenses related to construction and infrastructure up-keep of kinder facilities has placed a heavy burden on local governments already struggling with minimal financial support and cost-shifting from the Victorian Government.
Executives from Corangamite Shire Council, Pyrenees Shire Council and Moyne Shire Council joined Warrnambool City Council before the Inquiry, providing insight into the insufficient funding support from the State Government.
It was revealed the process of applying for grants for the free kinder program was both time-consuming and costly.
Adding to concerns, due to a limited funding pool, the competition has been fierce, and there has been no guarantee of success.
This not only delays the implementation of kinder programs but also has been said to put an additional strain on already-stretched council resources and finances preparing grant submissions.
Local Government shadow minister and Leader of the Nationals, Peter Walsh said the State Government’s promise of ‘free’ kinder was misleading.
“Free is not free and local councils are left to pick up the slack,” he said.
“Ratepayers are ultimately footing the bill, and councils are left struggling to meet these demands with insufficient support.”
Early Childhood and Education shadow minister, Jess Wilson said the ‘free kinder’ policy was ill-conceived.
“This is causing enormous uncertainty for Victoria’s early childhood education sector,” she said.
“Having delayed the roll-out this program in the recent state budget due to Labor’s record debt, young families across Victoria are facing higher childcare costs and poorer accessibility for years to come.”
