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Victorian Budget 2020/21: A Budget that puts people first

Dear <<First Name>>,

I’m immensely proud to be involved in a Government that puts people first. 2020 has been a year like no other, and because of that, we need a Budget like no other too.

This Budget delivers unprecedented investment to rebuild our state. It also seeks to respond to some of the deep cracks in our economy and society - one that forces workers to choose between their health and feeding their family, and, too many Victorians without the security and stability of a home.

At the heart of our effort is getting Victorians back into work. Central to the $49 billion Budget investment is our Jobs Plan, which sets an ambitious goal: creating 400,000 jobs by 2025 – half of them by 2022. A $619 million investment that will help those most impacted by the pandemic: women, young people and Victorians without a formal qualification, but plenty of experience.  We’ll also make it easier to retrain and upskill, with $1 billion to support our skills sector, including an extra 80,000 Free TAFE and training places with courses linked to jobs in demand.

As part of the Big Housing Build, our $5.3 billion investment will also make sure more Victorians have the security and stability of a home, delivering 12,000 new social and affordable homes. This investment will also help more Victorians into work, supporting around 10,000 new jobs on average each year over the next four years.

This Budget also plays to and invests in our state’s strengths: innovation, clean energy and energy efficiency, embracing new technology, radically improving mobile coverage and broadband access in regional communities, and, continuing our massive infrastructure investment.

We’ll make fundamental reforms to make us stronger too: ensuring an inclusive education for kids with disability, investing in free kinder in 2021, delivering new school tutors, a new Recovery Workforce, and more healthcare delivered in the home.

We’ll continue our massive rebuild of our schools with a $1.9 billion building blitz and investing more than $24.5 million so students can keep the 71,000 mobile devices loaned to them during the pandemic.

This Budget delivers $2 billion to build new hospitals and upgrading existing ones. We’ll also provide $870 million to extend mental health services to more Victorians and implement the Royal Commission into Mental Health’s interim recommendations.

Some initiatives in our local area are highlighted below in this email. In addition, t
he Budget also includes funding:
- to acquire land for the Inner South Community Hospital, giving local families confidence that care is just around the corner;
- to invest in our community spaces, including upgrading visitor facilities in Albert Park;
- to repair and strengthen Princes Pier with a $3.1 million investment, ensuring the ongoing safety of the community in enjoying and accessing this important historical and cultural asset; and
- for the continuation of the Westgate Punt ferry service, connecting workers and the community across the Yarra.

This year has also shown us what matters most: our families, our neighbours, our communities. Taking care of the people we love and looking after each other. And, as we recover, our success must be measured not just by the wealth of our economy but also by the wellbeing of our people.


Martin

More Budget information here.
Port Phillip a priority area for record social housing development
The Victorian Government’s 20-21 Budget $5.3 billion Big Housing Build package has delivered great news for jobs and housing locally. It will significantly increase the current housing in our community and make sure we all have a decent roof over our head as the basis of a fair start in life.
As a priority Local Government Area, Port Phillip is included in the $948 million purchase program that will start straight away to spot purchase properties as well as in-progress or ready to go build projects.

Homes Victoria is also preparing a pipeline of potential projects to be considered for funding and project feasibility assessment will be undertaken over the coming months.
The Big Housing Build program will deliver secure, modern and 7-star energy efficient homes, making them more comfortable during summer and winter, and saving tenants on their power bills. In addition, the Port Phillip LGA will see:
  • over $500,000 worth of additional maintenance works to support work at 87 properties;
  • over $400,000 of contracts upgrade eight properties; and
  • 15 new dwellings scheduled to be developed under the Government’s 1,000 homes Building Homes to Fight Homelessness initiative.
This investment will also support 10,000 jobs each year for four years - supercharging Victoria’s economic recovery through the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. It is expected to generate $6.7 billion in economic benefits for Victoria – a return of $1.30 for every dollar invested.
$1.18 Building Works package to support local schools
Families in the local area have done a phenomenal job in supporting students to learn from home.  As kids get back into the classroom, this Budget delivers the single biggest investment ever in our schools – making sure students have the classrooms, libraries and learning spaces they deserve.
That includes $4 million for MacRobertson Girls High School, helping to deliver works to increase the permanent capacity of the school.
The Port Phillip Specialist School will receive $9.31 million to upgrade and modernise the school – and make sure the children there have the fantastic new learning spaces they deserve.
This investment builds on the $1.18 billion Building Works Package announced earlier this year, which is creating space for more than 21,000 extra students in Victoria’s education system and creating around 1,600 local construction jobs. So, not only will this make sure our kids are getting a great education – it will also create new local jobs. 
'The Education State' to support more children with disabilities
We want kids to have the very best start in life and to receive an education that matches their needs no matter their background. That’s why we've allocated nearly $1.6 billion, the biggest in our state's history, to completely transform the way students with disabilities receive support at school.
We're expanding the criteria and doubling the number of students who'll receive targeted support in the classroom – including kids with autism, dyslexia or complex behaviours. We'll employ specialist facilitators to help identify students' individual circumstances and needs. It means kids will be given more opportunity to work to their strengths, in areas that interest them.
And to help schools better plan and adjust support for students, we're investing in staff and skills too with: 81 additional teacher roles in specialist schools; 25 coaches and new learning resources to support teachers; and 150 scholarships for existing staff to build on their skills and experience.
More kids will get the help they need – and a fairer future. Because that's exactly what they deserve.

$107,010 to refurbish local emergency services 

Two projects in the local area are among those sharing $20 million under the Emergency Services Refurbishment Fund - part of the government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package.
Sandridge Life Saving Club will receive $41,800 for essential facilities refurbishment and upgrades.

The St Kilda Coast Guard will receive $65,210 for a major overhaul on their secondary vessel. These projects will improve the condition of critical infrastructure and ensure that emergency services in the local area will be able to continue their incredible work keeping the community safe, while also providing a boost in employment within the local community. 

Our community will benefit from the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, with a $1.46 billion investment – supporting over 5000 jobs during construction. Phase One includes:
  • the development of a stand-alone National Gallery of Victoria Contemporary with a focus on contemporary art and design on Southbank Boulevard;
  • creating a 18 000 square metre immersive public garden – a space for locals to enjoy, with outdoor performances, public art, cafes and restaurants;
  • new and renewed public spaces to better connect the institutions with each other and with Sturt Street;
  • critical maintenance for the Arts Centre Melbourne to improve the visitor and audience experience;
  • further planning and development of Phase Two of the Transformation project, of which Arts Centre Melbourne is the focus; and
  • activation and governance of the wider precinct during and after construction.
In addition, $800,000 will keep our much-loved Australian Music Vault at the Arts Centre, continuing to showcase our incredible local and Australia-wide talent.

Spending more time at home this year has meant bigger power bills. In acknowledgement of this, the Budget has delivered the biggest household energy efficiency package of $797 million. For those facing immediate hardship, there is a one-off $250 payment for eligible concession card holders, including those on JobSeeker, youth allowance or pension payments.  

The funding package will also be used to make homes more energy efficient such as replacing old wood, electric or gas fired heaters with new energy-efficient systems - reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also creating thousands of jobs. 

It will also be used to seal windows and doors, and upgrade heating, cooling and hot water in 35,000 social housing properties. The Government will also provide $191 million to expand its landmark Solar Homes program. 

Building a rail link to Melbourne airport is something that's been talked about for over 60 years and it's something that generations of travellers have dreamt about while stuck in traffic. That's why we’ve announced $5 billion to get the project off the ground. It will mean you can get to the city from Tullamarine in less than 30 minutes. This project will also create 8,000 local jobs.
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My office may be closed during this time but my team and I are continuing to work remotely and we’re committed to helping our community through this difficult time. Please reach out if we can be of any assistance. Stay well. Stay safe. Hang in there.

Follow me on social media to keep up with my work in Albert Park and the Victorian Parliament. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at  @MartinFoleyMP

My office is located at: 46 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne 3207
You can email me at: martin.foley@parliament.vic.gov.au
My electorate office phone number is: (03) 9646 7173

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Authorised by Martin Foley, 46 Rouse Street  Port Melbourne  Victoria  3207
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