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Liberals Unveil $678 Million Education Policy

A Liberal Government will introduce performance pay bonuses for our top teachers, create Turn-Around-Teams to support underperforming schools and support the establishment of nationally comparable curriculum benchmarks.

By Ted Baillieu - 2nd November 2006 - Back to News

A Liberal Government will introduce performance pay bonuses for our top teachers, create Turn-Around-Teams to support underperforming schools and support the establishment of nationally comparable curriculum benchmarks, Liberal Leader Ted Baillieu announced today.

Mr Baillieu, accompanied by Shadow Minister for Education Marton Dixon, released A Liberal Government Plan To Deliver Opportunity For Our Children at Glen Katherine Primary School, in Eltham in Melbourne’s east.

"A Liberal Government will restore education standards and equip our children for a rapidly changing workforce," Mr Baillieu said. "We will give our children the skills to fulfill their potential and reach their goals."

Mr Baillieu announced a $678 million plan which provides:

• 5% performance pay bonuses for up to 2000 teachers ($25 million)
• 5% salary bonuses for teachers at hard-to-staff schools, particularly rural and remote schools ($15.2 million)
• Turn-Around-Teams of experts to support underperforming schools ($5 million)
•  A review of the state’s curriculum to establish nationally comparable curriculum benchmarks 
•  $10 million for children with a disability in non-government schools, and
•  $3.2 million for after-school sport in primary schools

The package also includes five new technical schools ($70 million), four new selective entry schools ($32 million) and $200 million to eliminate Labor’s school maintenance backlog. Other initiatives include a Parents As Educators program, a new text, email and MSN toll free bully line for victims of bullying, and $12.1 million to expand Adult Education.

Mr Baillieu said a Liberal Government would also investigate the feasibility of the provision by private providers of school infrastructure, including school buildings, sporting facilities and equipment such as up-to-date machinery for TAFEs and technical colleges.

"We must give our children the skills to fulfill their potential and reach their goals," Mr Baillieu said. "We will reward our best teachers and encourage our best students to enter the teaching profession. There will be unprecedented support for underperforming schools to ensure these students are not disadvantaged."

The policy includes a Liberal Government plan for:

• free public transport for all students ($286 million)
• free kindergarten for most four-year-olds
• 40 additional university places for rural doctors ($10.7 million)
• $3.4 million to train 40 additional dentists

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urges Allan Labor Government to clear and redevelop Sale’s old police station site after 11 years of inaction, following its recent deliberate burning.
• Camp Woolamai chosen as finalist in the 2026 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards with voting open until 26 June 2026
  Cape Woolamai is a finalist in the 2026 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards. Bass Coast Shire Council is encouraging locals and visitors to vote, recognising the town’s outstanding visitor experiences and tourism commitment.
• Tim Bull says Victoria can’t manage current parks, criticising government plans to further expand network
  Tim Bull says expanding Victoria’s national parks is irresponsible, arguing existing parks are neglected, understaffed and overrun by pests, weeds and feral animals, with reduced funding making effective land management increasingly impossible.
• Martin Cameron promises fair share guarantee to ensure regional Victoria receives 25 percent infrastructure funding
  Martin Cameron says a Nationals–Liberal government will introduce a Fair Share Guarantee, ensuring regional Victoria receives 25% of infrastructure funding to address long-standing underinvestment in the Latrobe Valley and regional communities.
• Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
  Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria.
• Latrobe City Council highlights strong financial performance and community-focused progress in its 2024/2025 Annual Report presentation
  Latrobe City Council’s 2024/2025 Annual Report shows strong financial sustainability, strategic progress and disciplined planning, highlighting new health-focused development and continued delivery of essential services and infrastructure.
• Mayor Rochelle Halstead honoured with MAV 10-year Service Award for her dedication to local government
  Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has received the MAV 10-Year Service Award, recognising her decade of dedicated leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening local government and the Bass Coast community.
• Gippsland Water encourages schools to join a free monitoring program reducing water loss and costs
  Gippsland Water is urging schools to join a free water monitoring program using digital metering to detect leaks, reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Shop Local in South Gippsland to strengthen community, support jobs, and keeping our economy thriving together everyday
  Shopping locally in South Gippsland strengthens our economy, supports jobs, services, and community groups. Every dollar spent locally multiplies impact, with increased spending boosting growth by millions annually. Shop Local South Gippsland.
• Melina Bath encourages increased funding for regional palliative care, ensuring dignity and support statewide
  Melina Bath warned underfunded regional palliative care forces terminally ill Victorians into hospitals instead of home, calling for urgent investment to ensure dignity, support, and equal access across eastern Victoria.
• Victoria leaders tour proposed Hastings terminal highlighting region’s central role in offshore wind future
  Regional leaders toured the proposed Hastings Renewable Energy Terminal, highlighting its crucial role in Victoria’s offshore wind strategy and clean-energy transition, with industry, government and communities collaborating for regional benefits.
• Join our free Beninette Tour for behind-the-scenes access, event facilities insights, and booking information
  Ever wondered what's really beyond the bricks at Berninneit? Thinking about hiring a space or curious about what's backstage? Join us for a free guided tour and get an insider's look at every space in Berninneit, in just half an hour.
• Darren Chester urges abandonment after widely opposed defence honours appeals bill withdrawn by the government
  Albanese government withdraws widely opposed defence honours appeals Bill after failing to consult veterans, with Darren Chester urging its complete abandonment due to reduced rights, transparency and negative wellbeing impacts.
• Partners unite at Kilcunda to protect Hooded Plovers through coordinated conservation efforts, monitoring, education and fox control
  West Gippsland CMA and partners met at Kilcunda to review progress in protecting Eastern Hooded Plovers through coordinated monitoring, fox control, education and community conservation efforts.
• Darren Chester urges federal support for forest scientists making Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry
  Darren Chester has urged the Albanese government to support credible forest scientists backing Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry, criticising activist influence and government bans harming regional jobs and communities.
• Latrobe City events drive tourism, economic growth and community engagement across the region
  Latrobe City hosted major sporting and cultural events in 2024 - 25, attracting over 27,000 attendees and generating $23.5 million in economic impact, reinforcing the region's growing reputation as an events hub.
• Martin Cameron says Yallourn job cuts devastate workers and mark first blow in Power Station closure
  Up to 40 Yallourn Power Station jobs will be cut by 2025, sparking concern from Martin Cameron over Labor's failure to support the Latrobe Valley through the energy transition.
• Noojee chosen for Healthy Forest Plans Pilot with $4M funding to boost tourism and local economy
  Baw Baw Shire welcomes Noojee’s $4 million Healthy Forest Plans Pilot funding, part of a $30 million Victorian government initiative to boost regional tourism, support economic transition, and create local jobs.
• Gippsland’s top picnic spots: Gardens, wineries, hot springs, and historic settings for relaxing outdoor feasts
  Discover Gippsland’s magical picnic spots: Broughton Hall gardens, Metung Hot Springs, The Gurdies Winery, and Old Gippstown - each offering stunning views, serene settings, and unique outdoor dining experiences.
• Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens, delivering world-class trails, boosting tourism, community, and local economy
  Omeo’s 114-kilometre, $10 million mountain bike park has officially opened, offering world-class trails, boosting tourism, energising local businesses, and celebrating years of community vision, planning, and collaboration.