HANSARD - Kingston SE Childcare

I don't know how many times I've stood in this chamber and talked about Kingston childcare. It has been a lot. They have been in desperate need of a childcare facility for almost half a century. In 2019, the council and community formed an official working party to tackle the issue because it was impacting the economic fabric of the whole region. After deciding the only way to solve the problem was a purpose-built centre, there was planning and costings to obtain funding from both the state and the federal governments.

In the lead up to the 2022 federal election, I was honoured to provide a commitment $1.8 million to make this childcare facility a reality. I acknowledge those opposite who matched the pledge—to their credit. Disappointingly, Labor's funding didn't eventuate until mid-last year and along came a new hurdle. Costs had massively increased in the interim. So, there was the need for another funding application. I'm so pleased that the group of hardworking volunteers in Kingston, working to bring an expanded childcare service to a reality, will receive a grant of $3.5 million. It's a massive win, and I welcome it. That being said, we must see action immediately because it's now handed to the South Australian state Labor government. We can't see the delays that we saw after 2022; otherwise, we will be back here asking for further grant funding to deliver this outcome.