Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Adjournment

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (17:47): I move:

That the house do now adjourn.

Inclusive education

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (17:47): (473) My adjournment is for the Minister for Education in the other place, Minister Carroll, and I want to begin by congratulating Minister Carroll on his recent appointment as Deputy Premier and Minister for Education. I look forward to working with him to deliver for schools in my community of Southern Metro. Thank you also to the outgoing Minister for Education in the other place Minister Hutchins and her hardworking office for their support and guidance this year.

Investing in our education system is what good Labor governments are about. Education is something that this side of the chamber cares about deeply, and the Allan Labor government is committed to supporting all students and teachers. There are no better examples than in the electorate of Hawthorn, which I know deeply misses its former Labor member of Parliament, who is a former principal who understands the education sector and its needs. From Auburn kindergarten to Swinburne University, every school and kinder in Hawthorn is benefiting from the Allan Labor government’s commitment to education. It is the responsibility of any fair government to ensure that the right to pursue an education is protected.

Victoria is the Education State, and the Allan Labor government has always been committed to funding that ideal. This budget was no exception. On the day the budget was delivered I was lucky enough to be at Camberwell Primary School to announce that planning is underway for the $9.7 million that the Allan Labor government will deliver, and that is on top of several statewide programs we are rolling out – think of the tutor program, ensuring no student was left behind in the pandemic.

Schools in Hawthorn like the Rossbourne School and their staff members are benefiting from our support. They are benefiting from the support given by our government to ensure that they can deliver a quality education to all students no matter how complex their needs. It is part of a wider package of almost $1.6 billion of investment in disability inclusion to ensure schools have the resources they need. As part of that, we are encouraging teachers to apply for the postgraduate course, the master of inclusive education, which is designed to provide teachers with the chance to upskill their knowledge; to motivate, challenge and include students with a disability; and to provide them with extra resources. That is why my adjournment is this: can the minister join me on a visit to Auburn High School in the suburb of Hawthorn East to see firsthand how students are benefiting from the programs supported by the Allan Labor government?