Wednesday, 29 May 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its promises and delivering for the people of Gembrook, with major investments in local schools, roads, health and public transport in the Victorian Budget 2019/20.

Giving local families peace of mind about their children’s future, this year’s Budget includes funding to build a brand-new school for kids in Officer North West.

The Labor Government is determined to make sure our kids are ready for school and set for life, delivering on our commitment to begin the rollout of universal three-year-old kinder. Thanks to a $882 million Budget investment, we will ensure that every three-year-old has access to at least five hours per week of subsidised kinder by 2022 – increasing to 15 hours per week.

A further $28.5 million will see early childhood added to the list of Free TAFE courses, reducing financial barriers for students, encouraging enrolment and supporting the Labor Government’s rollout of universal three-year-old kinder.

A further $58 million will expand our School Breakfast Clubs and make sure more kids are learning on a full stomach. Building on the existing program, which provides free breakfasts in 500 schools across our state, this investment will see free breakfasts and lunches served up to students at 1000 primary and secondary schools every school day.

First-time parents will benefit under the Budget, with the rollout of new Baby Bundles.  These bundles will include all the essentials local mums and dads need to help guide them through the first few months and years of their child’s life, including a nappy bag, growsuit, safe sleeping bag, teething ring, muslin wrap, information on safety and parenting and picture books.

Students right across the state will have a brighter smile, thanks to the Labor Government’s rollout of free dental care at all public primary and secondary schools.

This year’s Budget begins that rollout, investing $321.9 million and delivering on our promise to bring back dental vans. This investment will save families around $400 a year per child in dental costs, as well as saving parents the inconvenience of taking time off work for appointments.

Once fully rolled out, this initiative will also free up more than 100,000 places in the public dental care system each year.

Planning for the construction and expansion of 10 community hospitals across our state will begin, including the Pakenham Community Hospital.

Before being elected, we promised to remove 50 level crossings by 2022, with 20 gone by 2018. With 29 crossings already gone for good, this year’s Budget delivers on the Labor Government’s commitment to remove even more dangerous and congested level crossings.

With a $6.6 billion investment, this Budget ensures a total of 75 level crossings will be gone by 2025 – including Cardinia Road, McGregor Road, Main Street and Racecourse Road, cutting congestion and making our community safer and Pakenham level-crossing free.

Local commuters can also look forward to an easier time finding a car park with $150 million over four years as part of the Labor Government’s Car Parks for Commuters Fund to improve parking at some out state’s busiest stations, including Pakenham and Beaconsfield Stations.

This investment will help make life just that little bit less stressful for local commuters, while also unclogging neighbouring streets.

This is the first step in establishing our community hospital, which once complete, will give local families confidence that the very best care is just around the corner.

We promised to put power back in the hands of Victorians. And through our landmark Solar Homes program that’s exactly what we’re doing.

This year’s Budget delivers on the Labor Government’s positive plan for solar, investing $1.3 billion, to make sure more Victorians can take control and cut their power bills.

This includes rolling out solar panels, solar hot water or solar batteries to 770,000 homes over the next decade, expanding the program to renters and ensuring the safety and sustainability of the rollout, with funding for training, safety and quality audits.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing

“This rapidly growing part of our state deserves intensive investment into local schools, kinders, infrastructure and services – and this budget delivers just that.”

“I’m proud to be delivering for families in this electorate, ensuring that we meet the health and education needs of local communities whilst also creating local training and jobs in key growth areas.”