As the state election draws closer, with just over a month to go, the WA Liberals have promised to allocate $400,000 in funding to help stock toy libraries across the state.
Through the WA Liberal pledge, toy libraries across the state would be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to purchase new toys for their collections.
There are 80 toy libraries operating across the state, including 38 in regional areas, offering valuable play and educational resources to thousands of children at a minimal cost. Most toy library memberships cost around $2 a week.
WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam hopes the initiative will provide quality toys to support children’s skill development and imagination, while also offering cost savings for families across the state.
“This is a brilliant service which I had the benefit of using when my daughters were much younger,” she said.
“Every parent knows how quickly children lose interest in toys, yet through toy libraries, parents can have an almost unlimited stream of new entertainment on hand for very little cost.”
WA Liberal candidate for South Perth, Bronwyn Waugh, said the toy libraries in the area provide local families with a range of quality, fun, and educational toys, games, puzzles, and activities.
“Toy libraries have a special emphasis on choosing quality toys that are designed to support children’s skill development and imagination,” Ms Waugh said.
“There are more families than ever in South Perth currently struggling just to make ends meet, which puts these types of toys firmly outside their financial reach.
The WA Liberals’ announcement comes after Dr Jags Krishnan, the WA Labor Member for Riverton, shared that a re-elected WA Labor Government would allocate $18,000 to the Willetton Toy Library for new toys, educational resources, furniture, and space improvements.
