A lifeline for struggling Victorian parents has gone dark after Parentline was officially shut down late last year.
This vital helpline was a free, expert counselling service that was available from 8am to midnight, seven days a week.
It took up to 18,000 calls for help per year from parents throughout Victoria.
As a mother of four children, I know all too well that the journey of parenthood is fraught with challenges.
Every one of us reaches moments where raising a family becomes exhausting and difficult, and we would appreciate a helping hand.
That’s where Parentline came in. It provided emotional support, information, practical parenting advice and referrals to relevant services, supporting Victorian families in crisis.
Yet, as of October last year, Victoria is now the only state without this critical support line.
Parentline only costs $1.3 million per year to run – less than what the Labor government adds to its debt every hour.
But for the parents of at-risk teenagers, it provided critical early intervention support that de-escalated conflict and prevented young people from ending up in the youth justice system, or worse.
At a time when youth crime is spiraling out of control in Victoria – and we can see this on our local streets – Parentline could not be needed more.
That is why Victoria’s Liberals and Nationals are committed to restoring this vital service.
Victorian parents are raising our future generation, and they deserve a lifeline they can rely on.
Restoring Parentline isn’t just about support – it’s about giving families the helping hand they need to thrive.
Ann-Marie Hermans,
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP
