Lovell Attempts to Claim Labor’s Funding in Gowanbrae

Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell has been caught out claiming credit for two children’s centres, including one in Gowanbrae, that were in fact funded by the former Labor Government, Member for Pascoe Vale Christine Campbell said today.

Ms Lovell made the misleading claims in statements released while opening the Gowanbrae on 2 November.

Ms Lovell’s release from 2 November, 2011 stated:

“The Victorian Coalition Government contributed $500,000 towards the all-in-one facility in the City of Moreland’s newest suburb, which borders Strathmore Heights.”

“Ms Lovell is attempting to claim credit for Labor funded projects because she has done precious little in the Children’s portfolio after a year in office,” Ms Campbell said.

“What Ms Lovell has achieved is the shocking $1.9 million cuts to the popular Take-a-Break occasional childcare program and her government also axed three funding programs that help deliver new children’s centres into growth areas.

“It beggars belief that Ms Lovell would claim the Baillieu Government funded the project, when in in fact the $500,000 was received in 2008,” Ms Campbell said.

“The centre has been open and operational for some months, but Ms Lovell is trying to trick the public into believing she is solely responsible for it.

“The sad fact is Ms Lovell has cut specific programs that provided funding to help build children’s centres, like Gowanbrae, so Victoria’s population growth will no longer be matched with investment in children’s services.

Ms Campbell said Ms Lovell had made similar claims in Melbourne’s growing northern boundary, incorrectly stating the Baillieu Government had provided in Laurimar.

“Given Ms Lovell has cut dedicated funding for new children’s centres across Victoria; I am concerned these might be the last local children’s centre to receive state funding.”