Wednesday, 8 February 2023

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (09:44): Students catching the Z24 bus from Yarra Glen to Lilydale were left high and dry on the first day of school last week. The school bus was full and unable to take them. I was contacted by very concerned parents when 15 students had been left on the side of the road. Young year 7s on their first day of secondary school, kids with special needs and VCE students were understandably upset and distressed. This is far from the ideal way to start a new school year. By the end of the week we had a backup bus, which is actually a backup for the backup bus that was already in existence, so I call on the minister to provide a permanent solution to the matter. There are no secondary schools in Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen and Coldstream – they must travel. There are too many students on the waiting list, and the government needs – (Time expired)