Thursday, 4 May 2023

South-Eastern Metropolitan Region schools

Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (22:14): (190) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action that I seek is that the minister updates the house on the delivery of the 2023 and 2024 new governmental schools in the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region and what this will mean for students in my electorate. More and more students enter our education system every year, starting their first year of primary school in prep or their first year of secondary schooling. There is undeniably a massive demand for quality education across Victoria, especially in the growing suburbs of the north and west and my region of the south-east, as the Minister for Education knows all too well.

Matthew Bach interjected.

Michael GALEA: I am encouraged by the Andrews Labor government’s commitment to building 100 new schools by 2026, Dr Bach. This has and will deliver better access to quality education for families across the south-east and across the state.

Matthew Bach interjected.

Michael GALEA: I further applaud the opening of 61 new schools, Dr Bach, since 2019, delivering new and modern schools for thousands of students. Students and teachers have started at 13 brand new schools this year alone, including at Quarters Primary School in Cranbourne West.

Matthew Bach: And how are the kids going?

Michael GALEA: They are going great. This newly built school in a growing suburb will mean that up to 715 local students can attend a brilliant new local school, and I look forward to more schools being opened in 2024, bringing the total delivered to 75. I am particularly excited for Alexander Boulevard primary school – interim name – in Clyde North. I had the pleasure, along with my colleague Mr Tarlamis, of turning the first sod at the site of this school, which when completed will provide –

Bev McArthur: Oh, he’s been out and about.

Michael GALEA: We have been out and about, Mrs McArthur. There is lots going on in the south-east, lots going on that this Andrews Labor government is delivering. 525 students will have places at this school. I also learned a very valuable lesson at this sod turn, which was to never wear business shoes to a school construction site.

The benefits of the record investment into education by the Andrews Labor government cannot be overstated. $12.8 billion has been invested into building new schools and more than 1850 school upgrades since 2014. Brentwood Park Primary School in Berwick is one of many schools which have received considerable and much-needed upgrades, with $3.464 million in funding to conduct upgrade and modernisation works, including replacing the year 4 relocatable buildings with a new year 4 learning centre and building. The action that I am seeking is that the minister update the house on the delivery of the 2023 and 2024 new government schools in the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region and what this will mean for students in my electorate.