The Allan Labor Government is making life easier, safer and more affordable for families in Bentleigh.
Cost of living pressures are being felt by everyone in Bentleigh. 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 Bentleigh 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, Cheltenham East Primary School is receiving $10.58 million for an upgrade to the main classroom wing– because Labor is making sure kids get the education they deserve in world class facilities.
We’re investing in three new TAFE Centres of Excellence in partnership with the Commonwealth, including the Home and Community Care TAFE Centre of Excellence at Holmesglen TAFE’s Moorabbin campus. These national hubs will make sure Victorians can seize the job opportunities of the future.
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.
When critical illness or injury strikes, the emergency department is exactly where you need to be. But some conditions don’t need to be treated in hospital. Urgent Care Clinics deliver healthcare that’s urgent, but not life-threatening. Victoria was the first to introduce this model that has now been adopted by the Commonwealth and rolled out Australia-wide. With this Budget, we’re investing $20.9 million to continue running nine Urgent Care Clinics – including at Monash Children’s Urgent Care Clinic.
Victoria has more police than any other state. 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 Bentleigh safe. We’re also investing $33.5 million in the Violence Reduction Unit, to stop crime before it starts.
We’re also investing to make sure the courts operate efficiently, so that cases can be heard and dealt with quickly. We’re continuing to deliver financial and legal support for victims of crime, and we’re investing $9 million to support Legal Aid, including its family advocacy and support service in Bentleigh.
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 fixing potholes, repairing and resurfacing roads.
We’re also upgrading the footpath and installing new pedestrian signals at East Boundary Road near Clarence Street and Margaretta Street in Bentleigh East—helping people get home safer and sooner.
When the cost of living is high, families don’t just feel financial strain. They’re short on time. We’re investing to make public transport safer and more reliable, including $673.6 million for 25 new trains for our metropolitan network. These six-car X’Trapolis 2.0 trains will provide better services for families in Bentleigh.
Community sporting clubs bring Bentleigh 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. And we're also investing to make local clubs even stronger. This Budget invests $212,500 to deliver an LED lighting upgrade at Bricker Reserve, making local facilities even better.
Labor is investing in Bentleigh.
Quote attributable to Nick Staikos MP, Member for Bentleigh
“This Budget delivers real cost of living relief for Bentleigh families – cheaper fares, 20% off rego, and support for families with the cost of education.”
“Only Labor is investing in Bentleigh – better education, better healthcare and more support for community safety.”
