Thursday, 4 December 2025

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:10): Everyone in this chamber has seen the power of education to change lives. We know it is the single most important, powerful investment to tackle disadvantage. You change a life, you change the world. That is why we know school, outside the family home, is the most important protective factor young people have. It is also outside of school that young people are often engaged in crime for the first time, often as victims or perpetrators. That is why, with the Premier and the Attorney-General, we joined the leaders at Melbourne Storm on Tuesday to make a very important announcement: a $4.9 million investment in quality after-school-hours programs. From Melbourne Storm to Melbourne Victory to the Western Bulldogs to Foundation House in the huddle, we are using sport as a vehicle to drive a sense of belonging, leadership and discipline for young people outside of school hours.

We also know that this builds on the early intervention officers announcement the Premier and I made recently, keeping at-risk youth engaged in education, one-on-one counselling and case management for complex needs. These are evidence-based programs that have been shown to halve absenteeism and make sure that nine out of 10 people know that they have a life of purpose and a life of opportunity to fulfil their goals. This also builds on the $1.4 million commitment that I announced with the member for Point Cook in July to unlock our school facilities – 40 schools in Melbourne’s western suburbs. This has already seen 80 user agreements signed – with Australian Futsal Association, Cricket Australia, Football Australia – making sure we unlock that great opportunity, that $18.5 billion record investment in infrastructure, to make sure young people get every chance.

Some people might call this a drop in the ocean – $4.9 million, $5.6 million, $1.4 million. These might not be vast sums of money, but this is money that makes sure that young people get that opportunity to live a life of purpose. On education, we see it as the single most important –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Nationals, this is your last warning.

Ben CARROLL: I would have thought they would agree about the importance of education funding for young people.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Narracan is warned.