Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Ministers statements: schools funding

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:30): The Andrews government is doing what matters, delivering new schools in our growth areas – growth areas like Melton that actually extend out more than the township of Melton, but those opposite would not know, because they need a road map to find Melton. This investment has been made possible by the $14.9 billion investment in building, upgrading and maintaining our schools. On Monday I was really pleased to announce the names of the 14 new schools due to open their doors in 2024, 10 of which will be in Melbourne’s growing western suburbs. For the first time, these schools will have First Nations names. These names have been generously provided by traditional owner groups, and I thank them for this. It was really great to join the member for Kororoit to announce the naming of Yarrabing Secondary College and Dharra School in Aintree –

Sam Groth interjected.

The SPEAKER: The member for Nepean can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Nepean withdrew from chamber.

Natalie HUTCHINS: two schools that will be co-located alongside a brand new kinder and a community centre, making sure that we ditch the double drop-off for parents. Yarrabing means ‘white gum’ and dharra means ‘white hawk’. These are absolutely fitting tributes to the land of the First Nations people in this region before these schools were established, and they will be adding to the unique identity of our outer-suburb schools. I know that the members for Melton, Laverton, Tarneit, Werribee, Pakenham and Kalkallo and even the member for Berwick must be excited about the incredible names that are attached to these schools and the rate at which these schools are going up in their electorates. We are committed to ensuring every family has access to a great local school, unlike those opposite.

Annabelle Cleeland interjected.

The SPEAKER: The member for Euroa is warned.