Committee for Greater Shepparton shared a post.

2 weeks ago

The Victorian State Budget 2020

This week I was asked a number of questions about this year’s state budget by Shepparton News journalist James Bennett. I thought it would be valuable to share the full responses which were too lengthy for a print article for those interested in reading them. Greater Shepparton Secondary College features heavily because it is so important.

What was often lost in last year’s debate over the Shepparton Education Plan was how poorly our public secondary high schools had been performing. It was something I struggled with because I did not want to make such a negative point central to the discussion. But our teachers, students, parents and carers deserve better and now they are beginning to receive it. With the plan underway we can all get on the positive front foot.

James asked some pertinent questions and I have posted my responses below.

"What are the five key things (you) will be 'rallying' for in Shepparton leading into the May budget? And why?"

My number one priority for this year’s budget is funding for the Shepparton Education Plan. The school year has gotten off to a positive start and there has been a noticeable air of excitement from many parents, carers and students.

Now we need the funding for the construction of the campus and based on the very positive comments from the Premier and Education Minister James Merlino last year, I have confidence we will see the funding required for Greater Shepparton Secondary College in the coming budget.

Other projects I’m passionate about are the Shepparton Bypass, a full residential Mother-Baby Unit and Stage Three of the Shepparton Line upgrade. There will continue to be considerable work needed so that we can progress Stage Two of Goulburn Valley Health. Our community continues to need investment in a wide range of projects which have been identified in documents prepared by Greater Shepparton City Council and Committee for Greater Shepparton. Despite the bushfire crisis and other issues facing the government we will be lobbying strongly for Shepparton District to continue to receive the outstanding investment that is so visibly stimulating our region.

"(Are you) confident (you) can get funding for Shepparton at the May budget in certain areas such as V/Line transport, bypass and GV Health?"

While these are all very important issues which we will continue to lobby to have included in the budget it is the funding for the Greater Shepparton Secondary College that is an absolute priority for me. Providing a high standard of education and modern facilities to enable our children to achieve to the extent of their abilities has always been a priority and the reason why I could not stand by and allow the status quo to continue.

Nothing is ever certain in politics, which is why we must continuously advocate as strongly as possible. My job is made easier by the ongoing support of local organisations such as the Committee for Greater Shepparton and the Shepparton Bypass Action Group in keeping the focus on the important areas of need.

The Andrews Government has made many strong financial commitments to our region in its first term and I am confident the Premier and Treasurer, along with the rest of the ministry, will continue to acknowledge and commit to fixing the many needs of our region following decades of neglect under previous governments.

"The state government said there would be an announcement on the Shepparton bypass 'early in the year', when will (you) start talking to the minister about this?

The Shepparton Bypass is a major point of advocacy and my office is constantly liaising with Minister Allan’s staff and with the Minister herself. The Federal Government has put over $200 million on the table. While I was disappointed the Bypass business case was not released late last year as planned, I am agitating to find out what the reason for delay is and ensure that any hurdles are overcome so that this important piece of work can be completed as soon as possible and clarity around the amount required to build the bypass made clear.

"(Are you) looking forward going back to Spring St?"

It is a great privilege to have been elected to represent the Shepparton District in the Victorian Parliament and I am looking forward to the year ahead. There is a lot to get done and not just the securing of further funding for our region. Water policy remains a major concern for our region and one which I am heavily involved in both within the region and at Parliament.

Parliamentary sitting weeks are often the best time and place to advocate across a range of issues and I am looking forward to sitting down with members of the government and discussing how we can continue to improve outcomes in the Shepparton District and in relation to water, across the whole Southern Murray Darling Basin.

In Parliament, I have a lot of tools at my disposal such as question time, questions on notice, grievance debates, speaking on bills and constituency questions to raise issues that need attention, many of which are directly brought to my office by my constituents. ... See MoreSee Less

Committee for Greater Shepparton shared a post.

2 months ago

Sam Birrell of the Committee for Greater Shepparton makes some interesting points about our local media in today’s Shepparton News. Thanks for the mention Sam! ... See MoreSee Less