The matter I wish to raise is for the attention of the Minister for Children and
Early Childhood Development, Maxine Morand. The 2008-09 budget allocated $23.9
million over four years for 500 additional early childhood intervention services
places and a further 500 places in 2009-10. According to Australian Bureau of
Statistics data the number of children with a disability in the community is
increasing. This appears to be linked to the baby boom, but also to the increase
in some conditions such as autism spectrum disorders.
Demand for early childhood intervention across the state is
strong and appears to be increasing with the ongoing baby boom, and I ask: when
will the minister allocate the next 500 places, and how many of those places
will be in the Barwon-south western region?