The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering on its election promises for our community, investing in what matters for the people of Ripon.

We haven’t wasted a day delivering the services and projects that matter to Victorians. With the Victorian Budget 2023-24, we’re getting on with doing what we said we’d do.

As part of a more than $2 billion investment in schools across Victoria, this year’s Budget includes $4.6 million to upgrade and modernise Ararat College, delivering the world-class learning spaces local students deserve.

In this Budget, we’ll keep improving V/Line services with $206 million to provide almost 200 extra regional weekend services – including an increase to five services along the Ararat line – and $601 million for 23 new VLocity trains to be built right here in Victoria, supporting 500 local manufacturing jobs.

Ballarat line users will be able to enjoy services every 40 minutes on the weekends – and fairer V/Line fares are helping make travel across Ripon more affordable for families.

Every community deserves great spaces to come together to celebrate and share in culture and tradition.

We said we would support the Ballarat Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre Committee, and we’re doing just that with an investment of $900,000 towards community facility upgrades in Ross Creek.

Sport is such a big part of our community – particularly across Ripon – that’s why we’re delivering $1 million for sporting upgrades in Maryborough to help keep families active, including:

• $550,000 for new female friendly change facilities at Princes Park
• $450,000 for new netball court and lighting upgrades for the Royal Park Football Netball Club

We’ll invest $800,000 to develop a masterplan for the conversion of the Old Beaufort Primary School site into a new community hub.

We’re backing the community organisations that provide care, support, and services to help Victorians when they need it most, including:

• $100,000 for the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre
• $100,000 for the Maryborough Community House
• $50,000 for the Wedderburn Community House

This Budget delivers on our promise to build 50 new government-run Early Learning Centres across Victoria.

We’re investing $921 million to deliver 35 new government-owned and operated Early Learning Centres by 2027, including in Creswick-Clunes, Maryborough, and the Loddon Shire.

We’re delivering safer boating facilities for our rural communities, with $800,000 to relocate the Laanecoorie boat ramp to a nearby location that will enhance safety.

We’re also upgrading water infrastructure, including:

• $1.6 million for biosolids handling facility enhancements in Dunolly
• $3 million for wastewater treatment plant upgrades in Cardigan Village

The Budget delivers on our election commitment to support the Continuous Voices Survivors Memorial in Ballarat, with a $500,000 grant to help build the first Australian memorial to acknowledge all victim-survivors of sexual violence.

The public art project will be built near the lake adjacent to the Plane Avenue in Victoria Park, Ballarat. The memorial is designed to recognise the pain and trauma caused by all forms of sexual violence, as well as providing a space to support healing.

Victorians remember the State Electricity Commission (SEC): it meant a fair deal on your power prices and good, stable jobs for workers.

That’s why we’re bringing it back – to drive down power bills and create thousands of jobs in renewable, government-owned energy.

Bringing back the SEC won’t just mean more renewable energy, lower power bills and reduced carbon emissions – it’ll also help create 59,000 jobs.

With the huge demand for a skilled workforce, the Labor Government is making sure Victorians can get the skills they need for the job they want.

A targeted investment of $6 million at Federation TAFE will deliver Stage 2 works for the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Training Centre – giving students and workers alike access to the training they need for the jobs they want.

We know many apprentices scrimp and save as they start out in their careers. But when you rely on your vehicle to do your job every day, costs can quickly add up. We’ll ease the cost-of-living pressure for our hard-working apprentices, making rego free – saving eligible trade apprentices up to $865 every year.

We’re ensuring women and their health are given the focus, funding, and respect they deserve.

New comprehensive women’s health clinics at Ballarat and Bendigo Base Hospitals will change the way women’s health issues are treated, providing care and support for the conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perimenopause and menopause.

To get the very best healthcare, you need world-class hospitals. Ballarat Base Hospital will receive a new PET scanner as part of the $44 million state-wide package, ensuring patients waiting for a cancer, cardiovascular disease or neurological disease test can get the answers they need, sooner.

These investments build on the $595 million redevelopment of the Ballarat Base Hospital, where early works have begun.

These are the things that matter – and the things we promised to Victorians.

And with this Budget, we’re getting on with delivering every election commitment we made at the last election.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett MP

“With this Budget, we’re doing what matters for the people of Ripon – and we’re delivering on every election promise we made to them.”

“We know education changes lives. With this Budget, we’re making sure students in rural and regional Victoria can get the world-class education they deserve, close to home.”