Premier Jacinta Allan announces new kindergarten, deflects questions about South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman

Jacinta Allan came to town on Friday to announce a new kindergarten in the electorate of someone whose name she couldn’t bring herself to say.

Premier Jacinta Allan visited Armstrong Creek East Community Hub on Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui.

A fast-growing southern Geelong suburb is set to get a new kindergarten, as the government confirms the facility will be open in time for the 2026 school year.

The kindergarten will be co-located with a yet to be built primary school that has the interim name of Warralily Park.

The government has also committed to having the school ready by 2026 despite its location not being confirmed.

Premier Jacinta Allan made the announcement at the Armstrong Creek East Community Hub on Friday afternoon, where she was flanked by upper house MLC Gayle Tierney.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman, who has not been sighted in the electorate since he was axed from the government benches in late April, was not invited.

Ms Allan said the co-location of kindergartens and primary schools was a government strategy that made things easier for parents with multiple children.

“We have plenty of time to get construction works done,” she said.

“Making the announcement today means we can be on track to have these buildings and kinders open.”

Warralily Park was one of eight new co-located kinders across the state that were announced on Friday.

An approved provider will be appointed to run the kindergarten in late 2025, according to the government’s School Building Authority website.

Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui.

The same website states that the accompanying school will have capacity for 650 students.

“A confirmed address will be provided by local (Geelong) council in the coming months,” it states.

Ms Allan was unable to say where things were at with the $1m business case for a new Armstrong Creek secondary school that was promised by Mr Cheeseman and then-premier Daniel Andrews just prior to the 2022 election.

She said Education Minister Ben Carroll would confirm that detail.

Local parents last month said they were desperate for information regarding the secondary school, claiming Mr Cheeseman was “missing in action” on the matter.

“I know Gayle has been working incredibly hard with the local community around Armstrong Creek,” the Premier said.

Ms Tierney, a Legislative Council member for Western Victoria, has assumed responsibility for Labor in South Barwon.

Ms Allan refused to say whether Mr Cheeseman, South Barwon MP since 2018, should remain in parliament.

“The actions of the member for South Barwon are a matter for the member of South Barwon,” she said repeatedly.

It is unclear whether Mr Cheeseman will attend parliament next week.

Ms Allan said while the timing of any preselection was a party matter, Labor would certainly have a “strong and proud” Labor candidate in South Barwon.

Mr Cheeseman comfortably won the seat in 2022 against the Liberals’ Andrew Katos.

The changing demographics of the area increasingly favour Labor, but some political observers have privately noted that a high-profile independent candidate would spook both major parties.

In March, Ms Allan announced 400 new homes, including more than 70 social and affordable options, would be built in Waurn Ponds.

She said planning of that project continued.

Originally published as Premier Jacinta Allan announces new kindergarten, deflects questions about South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman