Victorian State Budget 2008-2009
Mon, May 5, 2008; by Bill Coppinger.The Victorian State Budget for 2008-2009 was presented to Parliament today Tuesday May 6th 2008 by the Hon. John Lenders MP.
According the Treasurer's speech, the 2008-09 Budget takes action to deliver the infrastructure, projects and services needed to secure Victoria’s future. This budget tackles pressing issues in areas such as health, education, transport, community safety and climate change, as well as meeting the challenges posed by our rapidly growing population.
This budget also delivers new investment in regional Victoria and Melbourne's high growth suburbs, and a major package of support for families.
This budget has a number of very significant implications for LLEN Members and stakeholders.
As a service to members we have provided a set of focused links to key budget areas and included YouTube presentations from key Ministers.
Included are links to full budget documentation as well as summarised Press Releases from a range of Ministerial Portfolios relevant to the work of the LLEN.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it an assessment of the details of the announcements.
We encourage LLEN members and stakeholders to review, digest and comment on areas relevant to their specific field[s].
We have established a separate discussion forum topic to raise questions and discuss issues.
You can leave a response online using the links at the bottom of the page.
Budget Links:
Victorian State Budget 2008-2009
Budget Paper No. 2 Strategy and Outlook
Budget paper No. 3 Service Delivery [All of the Education, Human Services, Industry and Infrastructure links]
Budget Fact Sheets directly relevant to CRLLEN Members
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Infrastructure
- Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development
- Department of PLanning and Community Development
Ministerial Portfolio Key Initiatives 2008 and beyond
According to the Education Department Web Site, Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the Brumby Labor Government was delivering on its 10-year plan to rebuild, renovate or extend every Government school in every community in Victoria.
“Education remains our number-one priority, that’s why the Brumby Labor Government is taking action – rebuilding schools in every community across Victoria,” Ms Pike said.
Of note to members will be the confirmation of the Wallan SC Stage 3 funding as part of a 29 Million New Schools Package.
THE DEPUTY PREMIER
Closing the gap for Indigenous Victorians
- This includes $25.3 million over five years to improve education outcomes for Indigenous children in school by expanding the number and providing greater training to Indigenous school staff, providing scholarships for high achievers and establishing individual education plans for Indigenous students; and
- $2.1 million over four years to establish an Indigenous Youth Employment Program, to deliver flexible employment help to Indigenous young people
Deputy Premier, The Hon. Rob Hulls on YouTube.
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
- This includes 29 million which will fund the second and third stages of THREE new schools being built in Melbourne’s outer growth areas. This includes Wallan Secondary College.
- This includes $18 million that has been allocated this year to replace relocatable facilities at nine schools with new, permanent buildings. This includes Upper Plenty Primary School
The Hon. Bronwyn Pike, Minister for Education on YouTube
MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
- This includes $15.1 million over four years for disadvantaged families to promote home learning and improved access to supported playgroups for disadvantaged families, delivering playgroups to up to 2000 disadvantaged families.
Minister Morand on YouTube
MINISTER FOR SKILLS AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
- This includes $25 million to extend the Apprenticeship/Traineeship Completion Bonus program for another 12 months and
- $5 million for one year for New Workforce Partnerships – a program to match jobseekers to employers who have difficulty recruiting. The program provides skills and monitoring of work experience for more than 400 of the most disadvantaged jobseekers
Minister Allan on YouTube
MINISTER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS
- This includes $3.8 million would be allocated for youth mentoring projects across metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas, linking young Victorians to volunteer mentors in their local community.
Minister Merlino on YouTube
OFFICE OF THE TREASURER
Minister Lenders on YouTube
MINISTER FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Minister Theophanus on YouTube
MINISTER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT
- This includes $30.2 million for the Craigieburn Track Upgrade to run two more morning peak services and improve reliability of V/Line services to Seymour and Albury; and
- $254.5 million for renewal and maintenance on all regional passenger rail lines, including the popular Regional Fast Rail corridors and $7.4 million for Bendigo Corridor Safety Improvements and
- $10.4 million to start design of the rail extension to South Morang
Minister Kosky on YouTube
MINISTER FOR HEALTH
- This includes $2.5 million to expand maternity services at Northern Hospital, adding six new beds to the maternity unit, providing for an extra 500 births.
- Planning for Alexandra District Hospital redevelopment
Minister Andrews on YouTube
Related Links
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