Well, how good is Victoria? The budget is a representation of the commitment the government has made to the Victorian people. In November the people of Victoria put their faith in us and our plan for the future of this state, and we have just outlined how we are going to implement it. For my electorate of Tarneit I am very happy to say that this budget delivers for you. Whether it is improvements in health, education, public transport or roads, this budget sets out an outline for achieving these goals.
I am so excited to hear about the initial $100 million investment that this government has allocated to fund the Western Rail Plan. This funding will lay the groundwork for the much-needed electrification of the Wyndham Vale line. Separating Tarneit and Wyndham Vale stations from the regional V/Line services and expanding metro services to replace them means more services running more often with greater carriage capacity. Having metro services also means we will be able to build more stations along the newly electrified—or soon to be electrified—Wyndham Vale line in our booming western suburbs.
If I could be thankful for anything else, it would be that Hoppers will finally lose the crossing when the Old Geelong Road level crossing gets removed. It is my community’s worst nightmare when it comes to peak hour congestion—22 500 commuters use these roads surrounding this level crossing, and the gates spend up to 36 per cent of peak hour closed. I can tell you that after many mornings campaigning at Hoppers Crossing station during the election campaign last year, this level crossing was on the lips of every resident. The removal of this level crossing will be life changing for the residents of my electorate and those of our neighbours over in Werribee and Altona.
How can I talk about these fantastic investments in our public transport network and not mention Tarneit station and the 400 car parks we are set to receive? In spite of the federal election result, this Labor government remains committed to building those extra parking spaces at Tarneit station, one of the busiest V/Line stations in the state, with an average of 2300 commuters a day using that station. Combined with the Western Rail Plan, this will make sure that Tarneit station is fairly equipped to handle the growing population demands of the outer west on our rail network.
The Andrews Labor government’s announcement of funding of $214 million for the construction of seven early parenting centres, one of which will be in Wyndham, is an incredibly welcome announcement in my community. In addition, the government has funded $23.7 million to deliver sleep support services to parents of newborns to cope with the late-night disruptions. The Wyndham Early Parenting Centre will benefit up to 690 families are year. With 100 babies now being born every single week in Wyndham, services like these have never been more important. Tarneit in particular is home to an ever-growing number of young parents, and these services will be indispensable to many as they adjust to their stressful but deeply rewarding lives as parents.
I am ecstatic to see the government make record investments into our public health system: $64.4 million will fund our nurse-to-patient ratios, employing up to 540 new nurses and giving Victorians the best possible care. On a matter that is exceptionally close to my heart, the $6 million in funding for reproductive health services for couples undertaking IVF will be life-changing for the 13 000 women undertaking IVF in the past year. As someone who has experienced firsthand the trials of undergoing IVF, I know how difficult it can be and I know the world of difference this funding will make for those people wanting to be parents.
The Andrews Labor government recognises that the first 1000 days of childhood are extremely formative and can set up children for their futures. The benefits of early childhood education can last decades into their future, and that is why we are investing an incredible $822 million into ensuring that three-year-old children can access kinder for at least 5 hours a week, and soon 15 hours a week, over the next 10 years. We know that learning starts young and when these three-year-olds benefit from access to kinder those benefits will last well until they are after 33 years of age. They last for a lifetime, and I commend this government.
As a mother of two school-aged children, my youngest just started prep this year, I understand the importance of education and the desire that every parent has to send their child to a great school, which is why I am delighted to see this government commit an astounding $850 million over the next eight years to construct 100 schools across Victoria. In this term, 45 of those 100 schools will be built, and I am pleased to say that the Wyndham municipality that I represent wins from this commitment. Because let us not sugar-coat it: we need more schools across our local community to accommodate the 100 kids being born every week. Of those 45 schools being delivered over the next four years, seven will be built in Wyndham. For Tarneit this means three new primary schools—Dohertys Creek P–9, which opened this year; Davis Creek Primary School, which is set to open next year; and Truganina South East Primary School, which will open in 2021.
I have visited the Grange P–12 College many times, and I have to say congratulations to principal David Smillie for his absolute dedication and strong advocacy for this school. I am enthusiastic about the additional $9.5 million that has been allocated for the Grange P–12 College in Hoppers Crossing. This money will go towards upgrading old classrooms and their science facilities, turning them into state-of-the-art learning facilities. It is important that we continue to build more schools in the outer west. We all know it. For the students of the Grange, this investment will make a big difference because we know that improving learning facilities leads to better academic outcomes and every student in the outer west deserves no less.
It is also an achievement to see $58 million spent on expanding the school breakfast clubs program. I am sure all of us here can agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and making sure that our kids get the best start to their day is so important for getting them to engage with their learning.
On a brief note, I will take the time to commend the $300 000 that has been given to the Grange Reserve to upgrade the lights at the soccer field. This is going to allow the Hoppers Crossing Soccer Club to schedule night games for the first time, increasing capacity for match playing at this growing club. As it stands, the club has a really long wait list of kids and adults who are eager to play and every opportunity for people to get active in Wyndham is incredibly important, because when you consider their health statistics, they are lower and a lot worse off than the average Victorian. Upgrading our sporting facilities is therefore a sound strategy to help encourage an active and healthy community.
It is also fitting that I applaud the government’s plans to create new open spaces and parklands, from the Lawrie Emmins Reserve in Laverton North to Skeleton Creek in Hoppers Crossing. This $8 million investment is a step in the right direction, providing Wyndham residents with 15 hectares of parklands, playgrounds and sporting areas. The people in Tarneit deserve clean, open parklands, whether it is for kids to play or for adults to go and have a morning jog. It is for this reason I praise our government’s investment into creating more open green spaces for the Tarneit community.
Since I am talking about health, I have to say: how life-changing is the $322 million going towards free dental? It is going to benefit all government schools by 2022. This is the biggest investment in public dental care made by any government, and the difference it makes will change lives for the better because if kids do not get their dental health right, the long-term impacts on their health can be devastating. We are talking about all kinds of oral diseases and disorders, with tooth pain, infections and tooth losses being the most common. The financial impacts on families cannot be understated. What this budget does is give about $400 per child a year so that families are less likely to incur unexpected costs associated with dental operations. My community cannot wait to see those dental vans rolled out across Wyndham.
Another health boost is the $5 million being allocated to building a dog park in Wyndham. I have no doubt that our growing population in the outer west brings a lot of pets with it. I make no bones as a dog lover myself: these parks will bring opportunities for us to get out with our dogs, go for walks and get active in Wyndham.
I am also pleased to see the government is investing in preventative justice measures. Approximately $50 million is going to be spent on reducing recidivism in the Corrections budget. A couple of weeks ago I spent a Friday night locked up in the Old Melbourne Gaol as part of Whitelion’s annual Bail Out fundraiser. About 150 people attended, including the honourable member for Narre Warren North. We were able to listen to people who had spent time incarcerated in prison and did not have access to support programs like the one that Whitelion provides. If they had, they may not have ended up back in the justice system and the lives might have travelled on a very different path. These stories were harrowing and tragic, and this is why programs like those run by Whitelion that support the most vulnerable and at-risk people are essential for our community.
It is also heartening to see the Andrews Labor government support our multicultural communities in Wyndham, with funding allocated towards major cultural celebrations: $80 000 has been funded for Wyndham celebrations of Holi and Diwali. These events are some of the biggest celebrations in Wyndham and attract people from all over Victoria.
With a growing population, a growing number of aged-care facilities for the ageing population is going to be required, and that is why $14.5 million is going to purchase land for two new facilities that specialise in aged care for Indian Victorians, one of which will be built in the west. These facilities will offer specialised care and employ workers who speak Indian languages. This is an excellent opportunity for those who work in construction and in aged care. For Tarneit residents, it is also a vital piece of long-term infrastructure for our growing and ageing population.
There you have it, Acting Speaker. It is a fantastic budget, and I feel very honoured to be able to commend it to this house.
