Ms SPENCE – My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to inform Yuroke residents about the benefits of the Andrews Labor government’s investment in school infrastructure in this year’s state budget. My constituents have been delighted with the delivery of the new Newbury Primary School, which opened this year. I am sure they will also be pleased that this year’s budget delivers funding to commence building the new Aitken Hill primary school and to acquire land for both Craigieburn south secondary school and Greenvale north-west primary school. Our local schools are terrific, but as our community grows we need to be ready and plan for new schools in growth areas. This investment is another step in ensuring local infrastructure keeps up with our growing community. I look forward to hearing from the minister about how the Yuroke community will continue to benefit from our Education State agenda.

Response:

Education is the key to ensuring every Victorian child can meet their potential and get the very best start in life, and that is why the Andrews Labor Government has a strong and ambitious agenda to grow educational opportunities for all Victorians through the ‘Education State’. With an allocation of more than $2.5 billion to school infrastructure over the past three state budgets, we are delivering the largest overall education package on record to Victoria’s schools.

We know that Victoria is experiencing unprecedented population growth. This means a growing demand for schools, particularly in designated growth areas such as the City of Hume, which contains the electorate of Yuroke.

I am pleased to announce that the 2017-18 State Budget allocates funding to purchase land for school sites in high growth areas, including for the proposed Greenvale North West Primary School and Craigieburn South Secondary College, as well as $13 million to begin construction on the new Aitken Hill Primary school. This investment will build on gains from the recently opened Newbury Primary School, ensuring that all students, particularly those in areas of increasing population growth, have access to a first-class education.

I am especially pleased to hear of your constituents’ delight with Newbury Primary School, and can assure you that the Department of Education and Training will continue to work closely with the community to deliver further high quality new school projects that meet the needs of our growing population.

The Hon James Merlino MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Education
Minister for Emergency Services