We are three years in to this parliamentary term – the first term of the Andrews Labor Government. It’s been busy and the state is thriving with record job creation, an enormous and transformational infrastructure agenda, and enhanced health and social services helping Victorians across our state.

Some of our most notable state-wide achievements include:

• The removal of 11 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings and 15 more underway
• Commencement of work on the Metro Tunnel, the West Gate Tunnel and North East Link
• The creation of more than 320,000 jobs (so far!) for Victorians (already more than three times what the previous Liberal government managed in 4 years)
• The biggest funding boost to Victoria’s education system in the state’s history, with more than 1,000 school upgrades
• The best ambulance response times in 8 years
• The biggest ever funding boost to Victoria Police with the recruitment of an extra 3135 frontline police
• Rescuing the TAFE system and funding ten new Tech Schools to provide pathways for all young people.
• A life-changing $1.9 billion investment to end to family violence, implementing all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission
• Legislation passed for Voluntary Assisted Dying for terminally-ill patients who meet a strict eligibility criteria
• Delivery of a rental fairness package to give tenants more rights, and stable housing arrangements.
• Widening the Monash Freeway to reduce congestion and travel times
• Abolished stamp duty on homes under $600,000 for first home buyers.
• Short term car registration payments, to assist those who may struggle to pay the lump sum all at once.
• And much, much more.

Locally, our performance has also been strong. Prior to the 2014 election, I made a commitment to put the people of Dandenong first, with an emphasis on jobs, education and transport. Three years in, I am proud to have delivered much-needed investments in these areas for the people of Dandenong. Some of these achievements include:

• $13 million investment to rebuild Lyndale Secondary College
• Level crossing removal works well underway in Noble Park at Corrigan Road, Heatherton Road and Chandler Road and in Dandenong South at Abbotts Road.
• The deployment of 50 new police officers and 20 new custody officers at Dandenong Police Station
• $1.9 million for new facilities at Dandenong North Primary School
• $969,000 to deliver the Skills First Reconnect program in Dandenong and connect young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with training and employment opportunities
• A further $3 million for the upgrade of Dandenong High School
• Funding to upgrade facilities at Wooranna Park, Dandenong North Primary School and Dandenong Primary School.
• Funding for planning works at Dandenong West Primary.
• A funding boost for Dandenong Hospital for state-of-the-art medical equipment and vital engineering infrastructure
• Construction of Casey Tech School
• $1.7 million funding to install new traffic lights, signalised pedestrian crossings and turning lanes for Robinson Street and Princes Highway.
• A 2.2% decrease in the unemployment rate in Greater Dandenong stemming from targeted government projects and initiatives.
• Funding to assist Cornerstone Contact Centre relocate and continue to deliver vital services for some of the most disadvantaged in our community.
• Significant and targeted funding for auto supply chain businesses in the south east to support workers, protect jobs and assist businesses to harness new opportunities following the closure of the car manufacturing industry in Australia.
• A new bus service through the heart of the Dandenong South industrial precinct to provide more transport options for local workers.

I’m very proud of these achievements, but I also know there’s always more to do. I will continue to work hard for the Dandenong community in the busy year ahead as Victoria moves toward a State Election in November. I take nothing for granted.