Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad has welcomed a 2010 State Budget that invests heavily in services for Victorian families, cuts taxes and builds for the future – including a record $4 billion boost to Victoria’s hospitals and health system and the biggest hospital project ever announced for regional Victoria – a new $473 million hospital for Bendigo.
“The Brumby Labor Government is standing up for Victorian families by investing in our towns and our regions,” Ms Broad said.
“This Budget is a great result for our local communities as this Government continues to invest heavily in healthcare, education, community safety and world-class events that underpin family life in regional Victoria.”
Treasurer, John Lenders said the 2010 State Budget was a budget for families across the whole of Victoria.
“The Brumby Labor Government’s AAA-rated economic management means Victoria is leading the worldwide recovery from the Global Financial Crisis, and the Government is able to invest heavily in the services that support local families,” Mr Lenders said.
“Our Budget builds for the future as this Government sets about the hard work of delivering on our plans to give Victorians job security, the best hospitals and schools, a safer State and a secure water supply, as well as transforming our transport network.”
Ms Broad said highlights from the 2010 State Budget for the North West and regional Victoria included:
- $4.5 million for Ouyen P-12 College regeneration;
- $2 million in this budget for Merbein P-10 College regeneration;
- $1.52 million in this budget for Robinvale P-12 College regeneration;
- $2.51 million in this budget for Boort Primary and Secondary School regeneration;
- $574,000 in this budget for Chaffey College This is in addition to estimated spending of $5,696,000 on this project by 30 June 2010;
- $191,000 in this budget for Lake Boga Primary School This is in addition to estimated spending of $538,000 on this project by 30 June 2010);
- $300,000 each in this budget for Hopetoun, Koorlong and Red Cliffs Primary Schools;
- $19.932 million to open new dental training clinics in Mildura and Melton and provide 12000 extra public dental visits;
- New fire stations at Annuello, Nangiloc, Turriff, Minyip, Sandhill Lake and Slaty Creek;
- $5000 for Mildura Life Saving Club.
- $1.426 million in this budget for the new Swan Hill Police Station. This is in addition to estimated spending of $14.649 million on this project by 30 June 2010;
- New Road Crash Rescue Kit for Wedderburn SES;
- Regional First Home Buyers Grant increased by $2000 to $26500;;
- $8.8 million over four years to strengthen the Department of Primary Industries’ ability to plan, mobilise and co-ordinate resources when confronted with natural disasters and emergencies;
- $41.8 million over two years for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to help communities and householders to better prepare themselves for the bushfire season;
- $32.3 million over four years for the Apprentice and Trainee Support Package to boost the number of people starting and finishing apprenticeships and traineeships – with the Apprentice and Trainee Completion Bonus, as well as providing accommodation support for apprentices and trainees;
- More elective, outpatient and emergency patients to be treated due to the new Federal/State Health Agreement negotiated by the Brumby Government;
Further major highlights of the Brumby Labor Government’s 2010 State Budget include:
- Health and Hospitals: a record $4 billion boost to Victoria’s health and hospital system, including $1.1 billion for world-class cancer treatment and research, in partnership with the Commonwealth;
- A Safer State: 1,966 more police on the front line – the biggest one-off boost to frontline police in the State’s history. The Brumby Labor Government is investing $561.3 million for 1,700 additional frontline police, as well as $112.3 million to redeploy 266 desk-bound and call-taking police to the front line;
- Regional Victoria: investing in regional Victoria to deliver a fair share of the State’s economic success, including the biggest regional hospital project ever announced for regional Victoria – a new $473 million hospital for Bendigo;
- Tax Reform: $461 million worth of tax cuts, cuts to WorkCover premiums and tax incentives to create aged care and disability facilities;
- Leading the Recovery: Revised forecasts over the forward estimates revealing tens of thousands of jobs saved, borrowings coming down and economic output growing;
- Building for the Future: a $9.5 billion infrastructure program that will secure an additional 30,000 Victorian jobs next financial year, with key projects brought to book such as the $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link; and
- The Best Start for Victorian Children: $271.3 million invested to exceed by 53 schools the pledge to fund the rebuild, renovation or extension of 500 government schools by 2011.