The Allan Labor Government is making life easier, safer and more affordable for families in Dandenong.
Cost of living pressures are being felt across Dandenong. 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 Dandenong more than $1,300.
Donald Trump’s war in Iran is driving up fuel prices, putting local households under pressure. That’s why we’re
delivering 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.
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 Emerson School in Dandenong North.
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.
This Budget invests $284 million to open and operate local hospitals, as well as supporting and expanding
emergency departments. We’re also investing $145 million for upgrades, including new medical equipment in
surgical theatres, wards and intensive care units.
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 Dandenong safe. We’re also investing $33.5 million in
the Violence Reduction Unit, to stop crime before it starts.
Early intervention programs help prevent reoffending. That’s why this Budget invests $2.95 million in the highly
successful Youth Crime Prevention and Early Intervention Project, where police and WEstJustice have partnered
to help at-risk young people get their lives back on track.
The Allan Labor Government created the state’s first South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working
Group, and this Budget invests to begin work on a South Sudanese Community Hub. This will help build
community connections and address the over-representation of South Sudanese young people in the justice
system.
With this Budget, we’re making life easier by giving busy Victorians time back in their day, with better roads and
more public transport. We’re funding the biggest roads blitz in the state’s history – $1.04 billion is going towards
rebuilding, repairing and resurfacing roads across Victoria.
As our suburbs grow, Victoria’s bus network makes it easier for locals in Dandenong to get around. This Budget
invests almost $100 million to deliver more buses where they’re needed – including additional services on Bass
Coast Coach routes connecting Cowes and Inverloch to Dandenong, coordinating with the upcoming Yarram –
Leongatha – Melbourne coach service uplift. We’re also investing in upgrading Dandenong North’s bus network,
with more services more often on the routes 802 and 804, including on Sunday. This builds on our upgrades to
route 800, delivering a 7 day service, which has seen more than 1,200 new passengers on Sundays, and a 200%
patronage uplift on Saturdays.
Community sporting clubs bring Dandenong locals together. Through our Get Active Kids voucher program, we’re
making sure the cost of fees and equipment doesn’t keep kids from playing the sport they love. We’re also
investing to make local clubs even stronger. This Budget invests $500,000 to deliver funding towards Doveton
Pool Stage 2 upgrades, making local facilities even better.
Labor is investing in Dandenong – do the Liberals support our investments, or will they cut them?
Quote attributable to Gabrielle Williams MP, Member for Dandenong
“This Budget delivers real cost of living relief for Dandenong families – cheaper fares, 20% off rego, and support
for families with the cost of education.”
“Only Labor is investing in Dandenong – better local transport, more community services and more support for
Victorians who need it most.”
“We’re investing $500,000 towards the redevelopment of the Doveton Pool, to ensure families can continue to
enjoy it for generations to come.”