The NSW Nationals have criticised the Minns Labor Government for leaving several regional communities without new preschools, after it gutted the plan to deliver 500 facilities across the state.
In a stark contrast to what was planned by the former Nationals Government, Labor has announced just 100 preschools earmarked for delivery in this term of government – an 80 per cent reduction.
The government states, “It is expected that the new preschools will open by 2027, pending building and regulatory approvals.”
Under this plan, many regional areas will miss out altogether.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said Labor’s plan will not deliver what families in the regions need and deserve.
“We know how important it is for families to be able to access preschool for their children, which is why the former Nationals Government launched the $5.8 billion universal preschool reforms, which included building 500 new preschools to help ensure every child could go to preschool for free for five days a week across NSW,” Mr Saunders said.
“This visionary initiative has been reduced by Labor to just a fifth of what it would have been, and to make matters worse, a number of the 49 preschools announced as ‘regional’ are actually located in the Newcastle and Wollongong areas.
“Perhaps Premier Chris Minns and his Ministers need to spend a bit more time out in the regions so they can understand the difference between the city and the bush.”
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said many areas across regional NSW will completely miss out.
“The simple fact is, if you’re a family living in the Tweed, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Clarence, Wagga, Upper Hunter, Dubbo or Bathurst regions, there will not be a single new preschool delivered by the Labor Government for your children to attend.
“The Minns Labor Government has no intention of delivering the early childhood services our families in the bush need, and once again are showing a complete lack of knowledge and empathy for those who live outside of Newcastle, Sydney, and Wollongong.
“They are not going to be able to deliver free preschool for 5 days a week for every child, and it will be our children in the regions who will miss out.”
