Tuesday, 30 August 2022

 Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:26): I rise to update the house on another exciting milestone for the 2023 new schools program. After a recent appointment of the final of the 12 new principals, last week I had the absolute privilege to announce the names of these 12 new schools set to open their doors from day one, term 1, in 2023. It is exciting to be one step closer to these new schools opening for thousands of new students in our fastest growing areas as part of our promise to open 100 new schools across Victoria by 2026. I know that these local communities are very excited because almost 5000 people engaged in the naming process, making submissions about the best names for their local schools, and many of those were taken from Aboriginal language for both flora and fauna. Having families and young people connected to their local schools is so vital and having families as part of the process is really important.

Since 2014 the Andrews Labor government has invested more than $12.8 billion in building new schools and upgrading 1850 school facilities, creating around 17 400 new jobs in construction and associated industries. There are new classrooms, new gyms, new sporting fields, new libraries, new administration hubs and, most importantly, new toilet blocks. You name it, we have done it. Wider corridors, accessible play spaces and therapeutic gym equipment make mainstream schools more inclusive for all students of all abilities.

We committed to opening 100 new schools by 2026, and I am extremely proud to update the house that this work is now well ahead of schedule, with 75 new schools opening by 2024. And we can do it all whilst we are supporting our healthcare system to recover from the pandemic. Can I also acknowledge the work of the previous Minister for Education, the member for Monbulk, for his tremendous work in this space.