Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Hi, I’m Kat Theophanous - the Labor Member of Parliament for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Northcote is a creative, clever, and compassionate community. It’s been my home for my whole life – and I will always fight for us.
As we grow, there are challenges and opportunities ahead – to tackle inequality and cost of living pressures, strengthen economic security and bring better balance to our lives.
As your MP for Northcote, I’m focused on delivering real action.
That means better healthcare and modern schools, secure jobs and thriving businesses, affordable housing and community facilities, and leading a rapid transition to renewable energy for a safe climate.
As Parliamentary Secretary for Women's Health, I’m also proud to be working to progress the Labor Government’s work to improve women’s access to quality healthcare. And as Parliamentary Secretary for Renters, I’m working to establish a fairer and more secure rental system for Victorians.
I believe in the power of community. So I’ll always listen and work with you to stand up for the things we care about.
Together, we can keep delivering a bright future for the inner north.
EASIER, SAFER AND MORE AFFORDABLE IN NORTHCOTE
The Allan Labor Government is making life easier, safer and more affordable for families in Northcote.
Cost of living pressures are being felt by everyone in Northcote. That's why this Budget is slashing the cost of commuting. We’re delivering free public transport until the end of May, then half-price fares from June 1 until the end of the year. This will save the average daily commuter in Northcote more than $1,300.
Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East is driving up fuel prices, putting local households under pressure. That's why we're delivering 20% off rego. With 20% off rego, a driver with one car will receive up to $186, and a family with two cars will receive up to $372. It’s one-off cost of living help for families right now, while still delivering a surplus.
Victoria has one of the best school systems in the world, with NAPLAN results that lead the nation. But the rising cost of living is putting pressure on household budgets. From free School Breakfast Clubs, to more affordable uniforms, this Budget invests $59.4 million to help families with school-age kids. This includes expanding the Glasses for Kids program to more schools – delivering free eye tests and free glasses to kids who need them.
From Free Kinder to Free TAFE – and everything in between – the Allan Labor Government invests in education. We're transforming early childhood education and delivering Free Kinder – saving families up to $2,700 per child every year. This Budget also invests nearly half a billion dollars to build and upgrade kinders and government-run childcare centres.
This Budget delivers upgrades to 59 more schools across the state. Locally, Wales Street Primary School is receiving $21.3 million for an upgrade and modernisation – because Labor is making sure kids get the education they deserve in world class facilities.
Managing the time between school hours and work hours can be a juggle for every family. But for families with children with disabilities, those challenges can be complicated. We’re helping families by continuing to fund high intensity outside of school hours care at 35 specialist schools, including Croxton School.
The Allan Labor Government always invests in our health system. Since 2014, we’ve delivered 11 new hospitals and hired 41,900 nurses, midwives, doctors and healthcare workers. This Budget invests to hire 250 extra graduate nurses and delivers fast-tracked surgery and specialist appointments for kids.
Evidence shows the Allan Labor Government’s fixed site pill testing service is reducing drug harm and saving lives. This Budget invests $9.2 million to continue this life-saving service, keeping Victorians safe.
Victoria has more police than any other state. With this Budget, we’re boosting police resources by recruiting 200 police reservists for desk jobs. This $62 million investment will free up frontline officers, making sure they’re out where they’re needed most and keeping communities in Northcote safe. We’re also investing $33.5 million in the Violence Reduction Unit, to stop crime before it starts.
Today, our Victorian Labor Government confirmed that we’ll build a brand new multipurpose gymnasium, a dedicated library, and modern classrooms at Wales Street Primary!
It’s a major investment - and I know it means so much to our community.
Wales Street families will finally have an indoor space to bring the whole school together.
A place where students can learn new skills, perform creative works and celebrate the big moments.
More comfortable classrooms and new facilities for the outstanding teachers to expand how they deliver high-quality education.
A real investment in public education and the futures of local children.
Located at 30 Green Street, the EPC will offer specialised support for parents with children up to the age of four.
Families will be supported with expert advice and care when they need it most.
EPCs offer programs to strengthen parenting skills and support child and family health and wellbeing.
The centre is designed to feel like a home away from home and will feature 10 overnight family units.
Consulting rooms, a shared kitchen, dining areas, a playroom and various outdoor spaces will also be included.
The Victorian Budget 2026/27 invests almost $100 million to:
Expand bus hours and weekend services
Deliver new and upgraded routes in growing suburbs
Boost services connecting to universities
Northern suburbs
Improving access to La Trobe Uni, with additional weekday and evening services (Routes 301, 551 and 561)
More evening services and Sunday trips extended between Roxburgh Park and Pascoe Vale (Route 542)
More services in the evening between Mernda Station and RMIT Bundoora (Routes 386 and 387)
More evening trips, improving connections to Sydney Road, Brunswick and Northcote stations (Routes 508 and 526)
Deputy Speaker today is Budget Day and there’s a lot to be excited about in Northcote.
Wales Street Primary School is getting a major upgrade, backed by over $21 million to deliver a new gym, library and classrooms.
This has been a true community effort with Principal Robyn Owens, the school council, families and students working alongside me to make it happen.
Solving the housing crisis means increasing supply, but it also means building the right homes, homes that are safe, secure and built to last; homes that people can confidently invest in; homes that draw on our knowledge of sustainability and good design; and homes that strengthen communities for the long term.
Northcote has incredible community spirit.
School fetes have been buzzing at Bell, Northcote and Wales Street primaries thanks to the immense effort of our school communities.
At St Mary’s primary Ride2School Day had kids learning lifelong healthy habits. Big thanks to principal Mary Kearney for inviting me along.
Last Saturday, in the rain, dozens of families joined our annual Easter egg hunt in All Nations Park, which I host with Ged Kearney. It was wet and fun, and the kids had a ball as we raised funds for the Good Friday Appeal.
There is no conversation right now that is more important than the one that we are collectively having on housing.
It is one of the defining challenges facing Victoria as our population grows, and it goes to the heart of how we support people right now and how we plan for the future.
My adjournment is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. I ask the minister to facilitate a meeting between her office, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and local stakeholders to discuss traffic safety concerns in Thornbury raised through a parliamentary petition.
Deputy Speaker, last week Victorians watched the Four Corners investigation and heard allegations that were incredibly shocking.
Women seeking care for endometriosis, instead describing profound betrayal.
These are women living with debilitating pain - seeking answers, relief, and the chance to reclaim their lives.
They placed their trust in someone to help them heal. Instead, they describe a profound misuse of power, mistreatment, and lifelong harm.
Most of us cannot fathom the depth of their anguish, nor the enormity of their courage in speaking out.
