Thursday, 16 October 2025

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:55): (1337) My question is to the Minister for Education. I ask: when will the state Labor government provide much-needed funding to Elwood Primary School, where the heritage-listed buildings are being held up by steel and concrete supports? Every school and every child deserves our best. With limited resources, our best also means we treat schools fairly and provide funding based on need. Under this government, school funding is political: schools in Labor communities get funding; schools in Liberal communities are neglected. Elwood Primary School was opened in 1917 and has been the beating heart of Elwood since then. Only recently the incredible principal Nicole Richards was announced as an Outstanding Primary Principal Award finalist for the 2025 Victorian Education Excellence Awards. In testimonials her peers describe Nicole as ‘inspirational’, ‘excelling’ and ‘courageous’ – go Nic! Despite school excellence, their heritage-listed buildings are being held up by steel and concrete supports. Two classrooms have been abandoned, cracks are widening and children are learning under scaffolds. Minister, do the right thing and provide funding to this incredible school.