Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Ministers statements: new schools

Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Education) (11:37): I rise to update the house about the delivery of 11 new government schools opening next year. I want to give you a picture of the Education State in action, about what these 11 new schools will deliver for students, schools and communities.

Of course each of these 11 new schools will have state-of-the-art facilities, the very best design. But the bricks and mortar of these 11 new schools is just part of the story. They will also benefit in equal measure from our investment in equity and excellence. Students at these 11 new schools that need extra support can access our Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, equity funding and direct support for students falling behind in literacy and numeracy. For students of high ability at the 11 new schools we will engage and challenge them with an intensive 10-week program and master classes in their local communities for years 5 to 8 and extension opportunities from prep to year 12—across the state, around 150 000 students.

I can advise the house that recruitment is underway for senior leadership teams at these 11 schools. The 11 principals have already been appointed at these 11 new schools. They have been working hard for months, and they enjoy the support of their school communities. The 11 new schools will be conducting meet-the-principal events, and they will be delivered by the end of November.

It is not too late. As he approaches his 11-month anniversary as Leader of the Opposition with only 11 votes in the Liberal Party room, it is not too late to go to those events, speak to those principals and get some advice on leadership.

Mr Wells: On a point of order, Speaker, I would ask you respectfully to sit the Deputy Premier down because he is going down the consistent path of attacking the opposition. As we said earlier, if you do not have any good news, hand the question over to the opposition and we will gladly take it on.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Education will come back to making a ministers statement.

Mr MERLINO: We are delivering the Education State: the best schools—11 next year—the best principals, the best staff because our students deserve it.

Dr Read: On a point of order, Speaker, I wish to draw your attention to an outstanding question, 769, asked on 6 June. It was a question on notice asked of the Minister for Resources relating to the accountability of mining companies.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member. I will raise that matter with the minister and follow it up.

Ms McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, I am disappointed to have to rise again this week to inquire about and get you to follow up on the status of a constituency question that I asked which was to the Minister for Ambulance Services, due on 26 September. It is now a month overdue. The people of Mansfield and the surrounds are absolutely keen to find out what is happening with their ambulance station and whether it will be part of the emergency services precinct that is proposed.

Ms Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, constituency question 1092 to the Minister for Public Transport about the absolutely poor performance of the Lilydale line was raised 61 days ago and I am still waiting on an answer for my constituents. Adjournment matter 1129 to the Minister for Health about assisting women in my electorate who are suffering from endometriosis and their getting access to surgery was raised 49 days ago. I would appreciate an answer for my constituents.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for raising that.