Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Budget 2023–24

Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (14:26): The Andrews Labor government is continuing to do what matters for the Geelong region, delivering cost-of-living relief and important upgrades to local community infrastructure and schools just like Geelong East Primary School. We have continued our strong record of delivering on every election commitment in this budget and more. In Geelong we have a lot to be excited about. We are giving women’s health the focus and funding it deserves with $58 million to create 20 comprehensive women’s health clinics across Victoria. This means we will have our very own Barwon Health women’s health clinic. It will operate as a one-stop shop for women in Geelong needing treatment or advice on conditions from contraception to pelvic pain. This investment also means that women in Geelong have access to the specialist support they need close to home.

I am extremely pleased to share that the Andrews Labor government will continue to invest in the Strong Brother Strong Sister program, an Aboriginal-led program to support First Nations children and young people in the Geelong region. The program delivers social and emotional wellbeing supports and suicide prevention programs that empower Aboriginal children and young people experiencing personal challenges, life stressors, anxiety or depression or who are at risk of mental illness, self-harm or suicide. I am extremely pleased that the community organisations in Bannockburn have received significant support from the Andrews Labor government.