The Andrews Labor Government is creating jobs and caring for the people of Northcote.

The Victorian Budget 2021/22 will support an average of 38,000 jobs every year over the next four years, while also investing in the care, services and infrastructure our community needs. 

Northcote High School will receive an $8.01 million investment to deliver a brand new three‐storey multi-purpose building, including a new STEM centre and modern learning spaces. It is one of 52 Victorian schools that will be upgraded in this year's Budget, improving our education system and creating jobs for Victorians.

Across the state, our investment in more and better schools is expected to support 3,500 jobs.

This Budget will begin planning and capital business case preparation for adult emergency department upgrades at the Austin Hospital. In addition to supporting local jobs, this investment will make sure our Emergency Departments are there for local patients when they need it most.

Our community legal services provide crucial support for our diverse community. This Budget will extend the Drug Outreach Lawyer program to the City of Darebin in partnership with Uniting Care ReGen and YSAS, assisting community members in Northcote with legal problems where alcohol and other drug use is an underlying factor.

This Budget also provides funding for the strengthening of the High Street bridge between Northcote and Clifton Hill. This strengthening project will benefit commuters as well as cyclists and pedestrians using the shared user path and ensure reliable tram services.

With this Budget, the Labor Government will help more Victorian families experience the joys of parenthood, helping to cover the costs of in‑vitro fertilisation (IVF). IVF can help people who want to become parents achieve their dreams. But for many Victorians, it's unaffordable and out of reach. This Budget delivers $70 million to establish public IVF services – which will be free for up to 4,000 patients every year.

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, in their own communities.   

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.  

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.

Not only are we delivering the mental health system Victoria needs – we’re also supporting around 3,000 new jobs. From doctors to nurses, support staff to peer workers, this investment is creating new opportunities for thousands of Victorians. To train and recruit this critical workforce, we’re also funding new scholarships, job placements and continuing our Free TAFE courses.

With this Budget, we’re creating jobs and caring for Victorians.

Quotes attributable to Kat Theophanous, Labor Member for Northcote

“Local students deserve the best education. The new building at Northcote High will mean our kids are learning in state-of-the-art facilities for years to come. It has been a joy to work hand-in-hand with Northcote High to achieve this outcome for the school community.”

“Everybody knows somebody who has struggled with their mental health – that’s why we’re building a new mental health system that will be there for Victorians.”

“Whether it’s helping Victorians who need our support, or the thousands of Victorians who’ll benefit from the security of a job – our investment in mental health is truly life changing.”