Thursday, 20 September 2018

 Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Education) (11:07): It is my absolute pleasure to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is making Victoria the Education State. On Monday I toured Mount Clear College with the member for Buninyong, where the new trade wing is almost complete. But there is more to do, and that is why a re-elected Labor government will invest a further $5.5 million into that great school.

That is just one of the regional schools that we have invested in. This government has doubled the investment in regional schools compared to those opposite — across the state, 70 new schools and 1300 upgrades. It is about priorities, and we know where others stand. We know that there are others opposite who talk about investment in school infrastructure as a distraction. When we came to government education was in crisis — $1 billion of cuts. Our most disadvantaged students had the education maintenance allowance ripped away from them, but what a difference four years makes. Now all students can go on camps and excursions. Kids are fed in the morning through our school breakfast program. Our kids have uniforms on their backs and shoes on their feet through State Schools Relief.

Four years ago those opposite were at war with our teachers and support staff. We have respected and rewarded their work, including moving 10 000 from contract work to permanent employment. Four years ago results were stagnating. This year we have delivered Victoria’s best ever NAPLAN results. Those opposite cut education; on this side of the house we deliver the Education State.