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Promises of renewable energy, education, healthcare, mental health, regional services and community support fulfilled by Andrews Labor government

Andrews Labor government invests in community promises: renewable energy, education, skills training, healthcare, mental health, regional services, and community support.

By news@gippsland - 23rd May 2023 - Back to News

The Andrews Labor government is getting on with delivering on its election promises for our community - investing in what matters for the people of West Gippsland & the Latrobe Valley. We haven't wasted a day delivering the services and projects that matter to Victorians. With the Victorian Budget 2023/24, we're getting on with doing what we said we'd do.

Andrews Labor government fulfils promises, reviving State Electricity Commission, investing in renewable energy, education, and job creation

Affordable energy investment

Victorians remember the State Electricity Commission. It meant a fair deal on your power prices and good, stable jobs for workers. That's why we're bringing it back - to drive down power bills and create thousands of jobs in renewable, government-owned energy.

An initial $1 billion investment in the SEC will help deliver 4.5 gigawatts of power - the equivalent replacement capacity of Loy Yang A - through renewable energy projects. Bringing back the SEC won't just mean more renewable energy, lower power bills and reduced carbon emissions - it'll also help create 59,000 jobs.

School upgrades prioritised

With 90 percent of a child's brain developing before the age of five, early education has the most profound impact on how our kids develop. That's why we're delivering Free Kinder for three and four-year-olds, establishing Pre-Prep, and upgrading or providing new equipment to Kinders across the state to make sure Victorian kids can get the best start for the best life.

As part of a more than $2 billion investment in schools across Victoria, this year's Budget includes $5.3 million to upgrade Moe Primary School. Every family should have a great local school. We'll kick start planning to upgrade Kosciuszko Street Primary School in Traralgon and Drouin Secondary College so students can get the world-class education they deserve.

Skills accessibility prioritised

With huge demand for a skilled workforce, the Labor government is making sure Victorians can get the skills they need for the job they want. Students and workers in the Latrobe Valley deserve access to the best training possible, close to home. A targeted investment of $5 million at Gippsland TAFE Clean Energy Centre will make sure they get it.

We know many apprentices scrimp and save as they start out in their careers. But when you rely on your vehicle to do your job every day, costs can quickly add up. We'll ease the cost of living pressure for our hard-working apprentices, making rego free - saving eligible trade apprentices up to $865 every year.

This Budget will provide $7.2 million to the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) to continue their important work, including the Ladder Step Up and Inclusive Employment Worker Transition programs. This investment will support jobs and further the economic development of the Latrobe Valley.

Hospital upgrades initiated

To get the very best healthcare, you need world-class hospitals. That's why we're starting early works on a new state-of-the-art West Gippsland Hospital and public aged care facility. The $320 million Hospital Infrastructure Delivery Fund will kick start planning, development, land acquisition and other early works on new and upgraded hospitals across the state, including the new West Gippsland Hospital.

A comprehensive new women's health clinic at the Latrobe Regional Hospital will change the way women's health issues are treated, providing care and support for conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.

We're building our mental health system from the ground up, so regional Victorians don't have to travel hours away from their own communities and support networks just to get the help they need. New Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Warragul and the Latrobe Valley will provide a 'front door' to local mental health support.

V/Line improvement

In this Budget, we'll keep improving V/Line, with $206 million to provide almost 200 extra regional weekend services and $601 million for 23 new VLocity trains to be built right here in Victoria - supporting 500 local manufacturing jobs.

Local commuters will be able to make use of fairer V/Line fares - now capped at the daily metropolitan and new 40-minute weekend services from Traralgon. Whether they're coming into Melbourne to watch the footy, see a show or visit loved ones, passengers along the Gippsland Line will also be able to make the most of their weekends with new 40-minute weekend services from Traralgon.

Community investments prioritised

As our neighbourhoods grow, it's important we invest in quality open and green spaces. $1 million for a new adventure playground in Mathieson Park will give Churchill families more places to come together. We're backing the community organisations that provide care, support, and services to help Victorians when they need it the most.

Volunteers across West Gippsland & the Latrobe Valley give so much of themselves towards improving their local communities, and that's why we're delivering on our election commitments to support them, funding:

• Latrobe Valley Village: $100,000
• Olivia's Place: $100,000
• Garfield Community Shop: $100,000

These are the things that matter - and the things we promised to Victorians. And with this Budget, we're getting on with delivering every election commitment we made at the last election.

Accessible regional healthcare

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said, "Regional Victorians should be able to get the healthcare they need, when they need it, close to home. Our investments in the West Gippsland Hospital and Latrobe Regional Hospital will make sure they can."

"For too long, women's pain has been ignored, dismissed, or treated like a niche issue. Our new comprehensive women's health clinic at the Latrobe Regional Hospital will give women and girls the care they need for acute and chronic conditions which often go undiagnosed."

Pictures from Yes2Renewables Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com