By Matthew Sims
Local Labor MPs have welcomed a number of projects outlined to be delivered in the 2023-24 State Budget, while Berwick MP Brad Battin has hit out at a number of budget cuts and the State Government’s decision to remove payroll tax exemptions for more than 110 independent schools as a “desperate and heartless tax grab“.
Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson said local schools were among the highlights of the budget, with $24.2 million allocated for upgrades at Hallam Secondary College, including a competition-grade gymnasium, a new administration building and a new Year 7 to 9 building and a $310,000 investment at Fleetwood Primary School to upgrade the toilets, water fountains and fences.
“Every family should have a great local school to send their kids to,“ she said.
“Our investment in upgrades to Hallam Secondary College will increase enrolment capacity by 225 spaces – exactly what our growing community needs.“
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas praised a number of funding commitments, including a $50,000 investment to the Hampton Park Uniting Church, a $50,000 allocation to Casey Radio, $1.2 million for upgrades to Grices Road Recreation Reserve and a $550,000 investment to Hampton Park Tennis Club.
“Our local sporting clubs are the heart and soul of our community,“ he said.
Mr Maas said the State Government was also proud of the State Government’s $400,000 commitment to the Tamil Festival over the next four years.
“Narre Warren South is home to so many proud, diverse communities – who have given so much to our area for so long,“ he said.
South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Michael Galea said another highlight of the budget was a new comprehensive women’s health clinic at Casey Hospital, providing care and support for conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.
“We’re giving women’s health the focus, funding and respect it deserves with a new women’s health clinic at Casey Hospital,” he said.
Mr Galea said the budget also outlined the construction of three new schools across Berwick – Clyde North Primary School (interim name), Clyde North Secondary College (interim name) and Thompsons West Primary School (interim name).
“We’ll make sure that wherever local parents choose to send their kids to school, they have access to first-rate facilities,“ he said.
However, there was no mention of three new schools promised at the 2022 election – Clyde Creek North Primary School, Clyde Creek North Secondary School and Ballarto Road Primary School.
South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Lee Tarlamis said another highlight of the budget was the $70 million upgrade to Thompsons Road in Clyde North, which includes upgrading the intersection of Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road.
“A new intersection at Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road will get drivers out of traffic and home to their families, sooner and safer,“ he said.
Berwick MP Brad Battin hit out at the budget funding “cut“ the Clyde North police station, which was initially pledged in 2018, as well as the cut of funding for the Clyde North Fire Rescue Victoria station.
“With thousands of new families in the area and the community concerned about crime, it is heartless of Labor to cut a desperately needed police station to make people feel and be safer in their home, on the street and in their community,“ he said.
Mr Battin said the Berwick Churches Soccer Club was another promise broken by the State Government, with $1.2 million pledged days before the state election.
“There are no new sports facilities planned in the Berwick electorate by Labor, this will impact on access to sports and reduce the opportunities for young people to build strong relationships and be more resilient to mental health and other health concerns.“
Mr Battin said the Government’s decision to removing payroll tax exemptions for independent schools would penalise struggling families.
“This desperate and heartless tax grab will see jobs go, increase pressure on the cost of living for many families and will push some schools to choose to cut costs or increase classes, both resulting in worse outcomes,“ he said.
