Victorian Budget Delivers for Growth

Key initiatives in the 2008-09 State Budget are:

• $815.6 million boost to education funding and an education reform program to lift standards for students;
• $702.9 million for hospitals to treat an extra 16,000 elective surgery patients, an extra 33,500 outpatient appointments and an extra 60,000 patients in emergency departments;
• new assistance to first home buyers representing a 17 per cent saving – $2460 – on a median first home, including stamp duty cuts and new eligibility for stamp duty and first home buyers assistance;
• a record $1.8 billion investment in transport, delivering extra morning peak train services, station upgrades, significant road projects and new transport services in the regions;
• $233.3 million for preventative health measures and cancer prevention and treatmen
The $37.2 million Alcohol Action Plan to create safer streets and address excessive alcohol consumption;
• A $185.7 million boost to ambulance services, delivering two new rescue helicopters, station upgrades and extra services;
• $294.6 million for climate change initiatives to drive renewable energy projects;
• $1.43 billion in new tax cuts and reduced business costs, including cuts to stamp duty, land tax, payroll tax and WorkCover premiums – and $94 million to improve workforce skills; and;
• A Fairer Victoria initiatives totalling more than $1 billion to address disadvantage.

Local highlights of the budget include:

• A $2.1 million Green Plumbing school in Albert Street, Brunswick which will provide ongoing, innovative, world-class plumbing training with a focus on sustainability, energy saving, waste reduction and water conservation
• New Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) single responder unit in Brunswick.
• Moreland Council will join other metropolitan councils to develop a $6 million regional food facility to improve the management, efficiency, cost effectiveness and production of meals for Meals on Wheels services and other community care programs.
• Young families will benefit from higher financial support for maternity and childcare services.
• Additional support for refugee students of $6.5 million over four years
Other local highlights include upgrades to communications at the Dawson Street Police complex and extension of bus and tram priority measures – including tram priority on route 96 (Nicholson St, East Brunswick).

“Our Government’s eight years of investment in liveability – in key services and infrastructure – have made Victoria a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Mr. Carli said.
“This Budget is an action plan to maximise the opportunities and address the challenges of a growing population by providing the best possible services and infrastructure for local families.”

Media Information
Christopher Anderson 93841241 or 0403056494