Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Ministers statements: education funding

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research) (14:39): It is my pleasure to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is investing in the future of every Victorian family by building the Education State and investing in social cohesion right across our state. Many members of this chamber will be aware that the Scanlon–Monash index found last year that social cohesion is at its lowest level in 17 years. Sadly, most people around Victoria, indeed Australia, are most concerned about financial situations and the rise of economic inequality. Forty per cent of respondents surveyed by the Scanlon institute found that they themselves felt they were struggling to get by. Incredibly, the most concerned were young adults aged 25 to 34, who said they were pessimistic about the future.

You ask: what is the Allan Labor government doing to support those 25- to 34-year-olds by investing in their schools and in their communities? Let me just tell you. We are providing free four- and three-year-old kinder, a saving of $2500 per student every year. We are doing the free baby bonus bundles, the kinder kits and the pre-prep bags. We are doing the early parenting centres like Tweddle, which the member for Footscray is such a champion of. We are running outside school hours care programs to take up study and sport. We are running Smile Squad, free glasses, free pads and tampons, free school breakfasts, Get Active Kids vouchers and free TAFE and teaching courses.

On a positive note, the Scanlon foundation also found there is high connection to community. In fact, 83 per cent of respondents are willing to help their neighbours. That is why the power of education and building the Education State in every corner of our state are so important. The former member for Hawthorn knew about the power of education; indeed he was a principal for 10 years. It is great to see that he may be back and that he has taken a bit of time out from his doorknocking to be here and watch the Parliament.

Can I also say it is the Allan Labor government that will help every young person get out and achieve what they set out to achieve. We are witnessing firsthand the transformational power, and we know the return on investment education makes. I bet you Baillieu, Napthine and Kennett would love the return on investment – (Time expired)