Bronwyn Halfpenny, Thomastown MP
The Victorian Budget 2021-22 will support an average of 38,000 jobs yearly over the next four years, while investing in the care, services and infrastructure our community needs.
The Andrews Labor Government is making sure local families have great local schools. That’s why this budget will deliver a new primary school in Wollert West, and a new secondary school in Wollert East. Two of 13 new school builds funded in this budget. Local workers will benefit too, with 3500 jobs expected to be created by school builds and upgrades funded in this budget.
Recognising the key role of schools in supporting the wellbeing of our students, this budget also invests in a new School Mental Health Fund. This investment will allow schools to choose and implement mental health and wellbeing programs that best meet the needs of their students. The Mental Health in Primary Schools pilot will also be expanded to include 90 government schools and 10 non-government schools.
This budget delivers $100 million to build new emergency department zones dedicated to children, including at Northern Hospital’s emergency department. This investment will create 300 Victorian jobs at the peak of construction.
The budget will also begin planning to expand the adult emergency department at Northern Hospital. As well as supporting local jobs, this investment will make sure our adult EDs are there for local patients when they need it most.
The Labor government is delivering on its promise to the people of the City of Whittlesea, investing in a brand-new community hospital in Mernda. This investment will give locals the confidence that they have access to the best possible care, close to home – while also creating new jobs.
The budget is building the roads we need now, as well as future proofing our road network by investing in planning. The budget kicks off planning for Craigieburn Road East, between Hume Freeway overpass and Epping Road, ensuring roads in the Thomastown electorate meet our needs as we grow.
This budget also includes a once in a generation investment to build our mental health system from the ground up. $3.8 billion will transform the way mental health support is offered in Victoria, with early intervention, a dedicated stream of care for our kids, and the recruitment of thousands of new workers.
An investment of $954 million will deliver 22 reformed area mental health and wellbeing services to replace current services. These services will have more capacity to treat and support Victorians experiencing severe and complex mental health challenges.
Young Victorians are at the heart of our reform, with $842 million in mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people. This investment will see two separate streams of care created – one devoted to infants and children and one devoted to young people. This investment will deliver more early intervention, more intensive support for those who need acute care, and more help for families.
