Ministers statements: schools funding
Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health) (14:13): I rise to update the house on the Andrews government’s record investment in school infrastructure. This year’s budget alone invests over $1.8 billion in new or upgraded schools. This compares to a mere $310 million average per budget under those opposite. Once again we have done more in one budget than those opposite could manage in four budgets. Since this Andrews government was elected we have invested more than $12.8 billion over eight years, created 17 400 jobs and delivered more than 1850 school upgrades. This now includes a major upgrade at every single special school in Victoria—$1.9 million for Bass Coast Specialist School, $3.7 million for Officer Specialist School, $6.8 million for Western Autistic School in Altona, amongst 36 projects. We are upgrading mainstream schools—$12.9 million for Westgarth Primary School in Northcote; $7.3 million for Yinnar Primary School in Morwell; $12.8 million for Wedderburn College in Ripon, a great school; $11.2 million for Wantirna College; and $8.7 million for Laburnum Primary School. And all schools receiving upgrades will have architects appointed by August. Small but critical works as part of our minor capital works package are due for Viewbank College, Black Rock Primary, Guthridge Primary, plus a further $247.3 million for essential maintenance. We inherited a school maintenance backlog from those opposite, which we have cleared. They scrapped the Victorian schools plan and replaced it with nothing, and they refused to build new schools in growing suburbs and regions. In contrast, we are continuing our unprecedented investment in school infrastructure. We are getting on with the job of getting students the facilities they deserve.