A high quality education for our kids is worth fighting for and it is something I’m passionate about.

The Andrews Labor Government is making an unprecedented investment in education across the state – upgrading facilities, building new learning spaces and opening new schools.

Across the Northcote Electorate, we have allocated $45.214 million for school infrastructure funding. This compares to a mere $300,000 under the former Coalition Government.

This includes funding for much needed upgrades at Bell Primary, Croxton Special School, Fairfield Primary, Northcote High School, Northcote Primary School, Thornbury High School and Santa Maria College.

We are also ensuring schools are meeting their maintenance needs with funding for works at Thornbury Primary School, Wales Street Primary and Westgarth Primary.

Since being elected in November 2018, I have been a strong voice within Government for our local schools. We are fortunate to some amazing teachers, students and schools in Northcote and I am working to ensure they keep getting better and better.

In the 2019-20 Budget, we secured a critical investment of $4.1 million for Wales Street Primary School to develop a masterplan and upgrade aging facilities.

A key challenge many of our local schools face is keeping up with enrolment pressures. As populations increase, so too do our school infrastructure needs. This is a particularly complex challenge in the Northcote Electorate with many schools limited by the learning and play spaces available to them – innovative solutions are required.

That is why we worked hard to secure $14.1 million to substantially upgrade Alphington Primary School in a way that maximises open space while increasing capacity. We also secured an additional $7 million for Fairfield Primary School to progress with Stage 2 of their masterplan.

We know that these two schools will be facing substantial enrolment pressures from the development of the old Paper Mill site and are acting decisively to ensure the school facilities meet the needs of both current and future students.

Local students will also benefit from the Andrew Labor Government’s new and expanded School Breakfast Club and rollout of free dental services for students across the state - because we know kids can achieve their best when they are healthy and supported.

And because we know the most precious gift we can give a child is the best start in life, we’re rolling out universal three-year-old kinder. We are also investing in making kindergartens more inclusive for all children by helping centres upgrade their facilities and buy new equipment to support children with additional needs.

While the Federal Colaition Government has continued to rip funding away from schools, the Andrews Labor Government has fought for a better education, and a better future for our kids.

Over the coming term I will be working with all our schools to make sure our students have the support and facilities they need to get the best start in life.