Wednesday, 8 February 2023

 Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (19:12): (22) If schools are not safe, one should support Safe Schools, I would have thought.

My adjournment matter is directed to the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to please join me on a visit to Mullauna College to inspect current works and celebrate the Andrews Labor government’s further commitment of $17.6 million to the school. Investing in quality education is core business for the Andrews Labor government, and we have not wasted a day in delivering great education projects right across the electorate. Over the last four years we have been delivering multimillion-dollar upgrades at every government high school in the Ringwood electorate, upgrades that are going to fundamentally change the way students learn for the better. From Norwood Secondary to Heathmont College, from Ringwood Secondary to Mullauna College, shovels are in the ground and buildings are rising from their foundations right now as we build the Education State in Ringwood. But we are not resting on our laurels, because there is always more to do, and only the Andrews Labor government will do more for Ringwood – much more.

At Mullauna College in Mitcham $5.23 million in works to deliver a new F block are already underway, but we are making a new investment to deliver new science rooms, a new outdoor learning space, new technology facilities, fresh new food tech facilities and a new canteen for future generations of Mullauna students, staff and the wider school community. This $17.6 million investment is a huge win for Mitcham and for the Ringwood electorate, and our local education wins are not contained to the western half of my electorate. Indeed the Andrews Labor government is proud to be backing Heathmont East Primary School. This great local school is set to receive a major $5.4 million makeover this term, delivering world-class facilities for the next generation of students. HEPS is a terrific school with a long history of service to the tops of the eastern suburbs, and I was delighted to attend their 60th birthday celebrations during last year’s campaign. The Andrews Labor government is proud to be backing the school community and equipping them with the new facilities to ensure the school has another brilliant 60 years. Our government is committed to quality public education in Ringwood, and new projects at Heathmont East Primary and Mullauna College are just the beginning.