NATIONALS WELCOME LIBS SUPPORT ON KINDERGARTENS

Leader of the Nationals Peter Ryan says the pressure is on the Bracks Government to move kindergartens into the Department of Education after the State Opposition today supported The Nationals policy.

Mr Ryan has campaigned on the issue for the past 12 months and has welcomed the Liberals decision to support The Nationals policy initiative.

"It is great to see that new Liberal Leader Ted Bailleu has endorsed the position that The Nationals have been putting forward to move the responsibility for kindergartens from the Department of Human Services and into the Department of Education," Mr Ryan said.

"The State Government has already taken the first step by supporting The Nationals policy of better wages for kindergarten teachers but it must go further and move kindergartens to the Department of Education."

The Nationals Education Spokesman Peter Hall put forward a motion calling for the move in the State Upper House last week and has repeatedly highlighted the importance of early childhood education.

"All of the research indicates that the early years of a child's life are crucial in the development of our young people," Mr Hall said.

"By moving kindergartens to the Department of Education there will be better training opportunities and support for teachers and improved educational outcomes for children.

"The Australian Education Union supports us; parent groups support us; the Liberal Party supports us; isn't it time the Bracks Government had another look at early childhood education and made this common sense decision to move kindergartens into the education system?

"At the moment, too much of the burden for kindergartens is falling on families who have to pay the fees, continually fundraise and even go on the roster for such basic chores as cleaning toilets and maintaining playground facilities."

Mr Ryan also raised the issue in Parliament on May 31 when he urged the Premier to spend the $182 million School Start Bonus on transferring kindergartens into the education system.

"If the government was serious about achieving real educational outcomes and eliminating disadvantage it would spend the money to make kindergartens more accessible for all families in Victoria," Mr Ryan said.

"The School Start Bonus is an attempt to buy votes. It's a bribe and it won't work because parents are smarter than Steve Bracks and won't fall for slick gimmicks and more of the same PR spin."

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066 or 0427 747 066