Thousands of Victorian students took to their bikes, scooters, skateboards or feet this morning to celebrate National Ride2School Day. Minister for Education, James Merlino, welcomed students as they arrived at Yarra Primary School after walking, riding, scooting and skating to school.
"Monbulk electorate residents shouldn’t get a shock when they open their rates notice. This is about ensuring council rates are fair and reflect the needs of our community.” “Our plan means more accountability in the way councils increase their rates, as well as promoting greater sustainability in the sector.”
The Andrews Labor Government has provided funding certainty for non-government schools, ensuring the needs of each and every Victorian child will be assessed equally.
The Andrews Labor Government has delivered on a key election commitment by strengthening protections against child abuse in schools, in line with the remaining Betrayal of Trust recommendations. New amendments to the Education and Training Reform Act, introduced into Parliament this week, will require all Victorian schools as a condition of registration – including non-government schools – to implement policies that better manage the risk of child abuse and respond to abuse allegations.
The Andrews Labor Government is rebuilding Victoria’s struggling TAFE system, with Melbourne’s William Angliss Institute to share in the first $20 million of emergency funding to save campuses at risk of collapse.
An Andrews Labor Government will do whatever it takes to preserve the Swinburne Lilydale site as a place of learning, pledging $10 million to refurbish the campus and find a TAFE and Higher Education provider.
An Andrews Labor Government will invest $250,000 in Kallista Kindergarten so our littlest ones get the biggest head start and young families get the support they need.
An Andrews Labor Government will build a new community pavilion and playground at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve.
An Andrews Labor Government will build a new community pavilion at Monbulk Recreation Reserve, serving community sports groups and Monbulk Primary.
My final contribution for this parliamentary term is on the issue I have spoken the most about, which is the closure of Swinburne Lilydale.
The Belgrave South Recreation Reserve is a wonderful facility. A major and much-needed redevelopment of the pavilion has been ongoing for many years.
The Olinda pool is a much-loved community facility. Unfortunately cracks were discovered in the pool more than 12 months ago, causing the council to close the pool down. In January the Yarra Ranges Shire Council passed a motion to expedite its reopening but, unfortunately, has done nothing since. It deliberately ran down the facility, closed it and now has no intention of reopening it. It is not good enough.
An elected Andrews Labor Government will fund a redevelopment of Olinda Pool and construct new community playground facilities.
I also took some time last week to meet a couple of new principals in the Monbulk electorate. Lynn Ordish is the new acting principal -- and hopefully soon-to-be principal -- of Monbulk Primary School.
I congratulate the Monbulk Business Network and the organisers of the Monbulk Classic Car and Bike Show, which was held last Sunday.
An Andrews Labor Government will fund $20 million to build new Intensive Care (ICU) and Short Stay Units at the Angliss Hospital.
Freezing! Ice bucket challenge with Brent from Friends on the Hill in Monbulk. Thanks for the nomination Justine from Julie's All Ages clothing store.
I'm Nominating Monbulk Sgt Mark Night, Wes Fleming from Fleming's Nurseries & Ben Higgs from Wild Oak Restaurant and Cooking School in Olinda. This is dedicated to Peter Anderson, a friend who died from MND earlier this year.
Labor will improve road safety in Monbulk, installing electronic variable speed limit signs, resurfacing roads and changing school speed zones, Shadow Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan announced today. Mr Donnellan joined Labor Member for Monbulk, James Merlino to announce Labor’s plan, visiting Mount Dandenong Primary, The Patch Primary and Selby Primary.