Ellen SANDELL (Melbourne) (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Education. Minister, back in 2021 Kensington Primary School in my electorate was awarded $7.6 million to fund stage 1 of its master plan. Unfortunately, since then, with the steep increases in construction costs, the scope of works of that project was significantly reduced. Four years later there are substantial urgent repairs and works needed at the school just to complete this stage 1, including repairs to rotting window frames; wheelchair access to upstairs classrooms; desperately needed insulation, soundproofing and recarpeting; and black mould removal, amongst other items. Minister, will you commit to funding for Kensington Primary School to allow them to complete a project that really should already have been finished?
Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:31): I thank the member for Melbourne for her question on education. I have not had a question on education since the famous reshuffle over there, so it is very good that I am still getting questions on education, one of the most important policy areas for government.
What I can say is the Allan Labor government has put in the biggest investment in school infrastructure and modernisation since federation – more than $38 billion. We have a focus on equity and excellence. There is also another $18.5 million being invested specifically on upgrading our schools right across our state, with some 2300 upgrades done and completed under the Allan Labor government.
I will say I do know Kensington Primary School, and the member for Melbourne has been a strong advocate for that school. It is an important school on McCracken Street. I do know, as the member for Melbourne alluded to, we have provided a $7.3 million investment in that school, which did provide disability access, a new lift and a new reception area for the staff. Since I became minister and the member has continued to advocate for that school, there was another $300,000 in one of the Allan Labor government’s budgets for the new outdoor kitchen, play area and community space to bring that great Kensington community together.
I will continue to work with the member for Melbourne – she has my commitment on that – and to do all I can to ensure that every child gets the best facilities, that every child gets to be in a school with dedicated teachers and that there are not any cuts from this side of the chamber when it comes to education. We are proud of our delivery, and we will keep investing in education because we on this side of the chamber know it transforms lives.
Ellen SANDELL (Melbourne) (14:33): I thank the minister for his answer, but families at Kensington Primary have been waiting years for these urgent repairs to be completed. Parents are fundraising themselves through sausage sizzles, parents social nights and fun runs, but parents really should not be asked to fundraise or dig into their own pockets for basic repairs for our public schools, The Kensington Primary School council would like to invite the minister to come to Kensington Primary to see the needs for himself. Minister, will you accept the school council’s invitation to visit Kensington Primary School before the end of the year?