Wednesday, 2 April 2025

 Annabelle CLEELAND (Euroa) (14:51): (1082) My question is to the Treasurer in the other place. Will regional Victoria finally receive its fair share, in the upcoming state budget? Last year we got just 13 per cent of the infrastructure spend, despite making up a quarter of the population. We are being short-changed. The Treasurer has the Euroa electorate budget pitch on her desk, but here is a refresher. Kilmore needs a public high school and Broadford needs school upgrades. Euroa, Nagambie and Heathcote still need fluoridated water. Seymour, Avenel and Swanpool are desperate for more child care and housing. Pick a town – a lack of new builds has seen waitlists reach over two years for social housing. But if you want more, try our crumbling roads in Murchison or the CFA brigades, like at Strathbogie. It is stuck with a 30-year-old truck and unusable sheds. While I am at it, our health services are being stripped back before our eyes – 11,500 square kilometres, and you cannot safely deliver a baby. Funding is about to run out for RFDS. Patient transport, family violence and homelessness services have been cut in Benalla. It is time the government realises Victoria is more than just Melbourne and that infrastructure projects can go beyond CFMEU favours. Stop gaslighting regional Victorians and govern for the whole of – (Time expired)