The Andrews Labor Government is putting patients first in Keysborough.
Across our nation – and around the world – the pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on health systems. From a sharp increase of critical COVID patients to disrupted care, resulting in longer hospital recovery time, the last two years have really knocked our health system around.
When we came to government, we put an end to the war on our paramedics. We took ambulance response times from the worst in our history to the best. Now – just like we did before – we’ll ease the pandemic pressure on our hospitals and our healthcare workers.
The Victorian Budget 2022/23 will invest over $12 billion to put patients first, with a Pandemic Repair Plan for more staff, better hospitals and first-class care.
Our healthcare workers have been on the frontline of this pandemic, and we know how important it is that we support them into the future.
We’re backing our healthcare workers with training and the extra pair of helping hands they need, so they can give you the very best care.
That’s why the Budget is delivering funding to train and hire up to 7,000 new healthcare workers, including 5,000 nurses.
We’ll provide 1,125 new Registered Undergraduate Nursing Positions and 75 new Registered Undergraduate Student of Midwifery roles over the next two years, and we’re also recruiting up to 2,000 ex-pat and international healthcare workers through a global workforce recruitment drive.
Right around the nation, demand for emergency services is at an all-time high. Our Triple Zero call-takers and dispatchers are dealing with unprecedented call volumes.
But when you call for an ambulance, every Victorian should have the confidence one will arrive. That’s why we’re delivering another 90 paramedics - which means we've added 790 extra paramedics to the workforce since we came to government.
And to help our frontline workers reach Victorians who need help faster, we’re investing $333 million to add nearly 400 new staff to increase Triple Zero call taking and dispatch capacity for Triple Zero services, including ambulances, and training more operators to allocate calls across the state.
We’re also going to make sure that every local community gets the health infrastructure and services they deserve. That’s why this Budget invests $2. billion to build new hospitals and deliver upgrades to health services in every corner of our state, including $12 million for Victoria’s second Mobile Stroke Unit at the Monash Medical Center in Clayton.
By expanding our emergency departments, adding more surgical beds to get more elective surgeries done and increasing maternity care services – this Budget will ensure more Victorians get the very best of care, close to home.
As we roll-out our Pandemic Repair Plan to make sure people in Keysborough get the care they deserve, we're also getting on with delivering the schools, roads and public transport services they rely on.
To make sure every young Victorian gets the education they need for the career they want, the new VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace VCAL, offering students more choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences – preparing students to jump into further study, training at TAFE or work as soon as they leave school.
The VCAL reforms will save many Victorian families up to $1,000 by cutting out-of-pocket costs, with students no longer having to pay for essential learning materials for VET studies.
Continuing our commitment to improve the inclusive nature of school facilities and practices, Athol Road Primary School, Springvale South, has received funding to construct a new accessible toilet adjoining the school's inclusive education learning area.
Local communities also deserve great places to play sport and under an Andrews Labor Government, they will have them. We're investing $88 million to build, upgrade and renovate community sporting infrastructure. This includes up to $400,000 to upgrade changerooms and community spaces at the Serbian Sports Centre in Keysborough.
With this year's Budget, the Andrews Labor Government will make a meaningful investment to support vulnerable Victorians into safe and secure housing. We're investing over $75.3 million to provide vulnerable people with support to get into safe, secure housing.
We’re also continuing to make central Noble Park a more lively, more attractive place for families and businesses, building on the work we’ve already done to create a safe, engaging and accessible community. We are supporting the revitalisation of Noble Park through our successful Suburban Revitalisation Program delivering on-ground works and initiatives for the local community. This is part of an overall budget package worth $9.73 million.
Our public transport system is also receiving further improvements to train travel including making train stations on the Dandenong line more accessible through a package of upgrades to station platforms including at Springvale, Sandown Park, Yarraman and Dandenong. We are also investing in bicycle parking facilities at stations through a $2.66 million program, which will deliver a mix of bicycle parking upgrades at 15 priority train stations across the state including Springvale and Noble Park.
We’re continuing to support on-demand workers and giving eligible casual and contract workers up to five days of sick and carer's pay, so Victorians don't have to choose between their health, and the health of their loved ones.
But that’s not all. We know that many Victorians are still paying too much for their energy bills – that’s why we’re stepping in to help families get the best deal. We're providing a once-off $250 payment for all Victorian households that use the Victorian Energy Compare (VEC) website – the Victorian Government’s independent price comparator website – to search for the cheapest electricity plan that suits their needs.
With this Budget, we’re getting on with delivering for all Victorians.
Quotes attributable to Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“Families in Keysborough deserve the best local health and community services. It’s why we’re investing in the Victorians who deliver them, so they can do what they do best – look after us.”
“Community sport is all about bringing people together. I’m excited that the Serbian Sports Centre will receive upgraded changerooms, ensuring players can play the sport they love in world-class spaces.”
Media contact: Monica Bladier 9547 6262
The Andrews Labor Government is putting patients first in Keysborough.
Across our nation – and around the world – the pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on health systems. From a sharp increase of critical COVID patients to disrupted care, resulting in longer hospital recovery time, the last two years have really knocked our health system around.
When we came to government, we put an end to the war on our paramedics. We took ambulance response times from the worst in our history to the best. Now – just like we did before – we’ll ease the pandemic pressure on our hospitals and our healthcare workers.
The Victorian Budget 2022/23 will invest over $12 billion to put patients first, with a Pandemic Repair Plan for more staff, better hospitals and first-class care.
Our healthcare workers have been on the frontline of this pandemic, and we know how important it is that we support them into the future.
We’re backing our healthcare workers with training and the extra pair of helping hands they need, so they can give you the very best care.
That’s why the Budget is delivering funding to train and hire up to 7,000 new healthcare workers, including 5,000 nurses.
We’ll provide 1,125 new Registered Undergraduate Nursing Positions and 75 new Registered Undergraduate Student of Midwifery roles over the next two years, and we’re also recruiting up to 2,000 ex-pat and international healthcare workers through a global workforce recruitment drive.
Right around the nation, demand for emergency services is at an all-time high. Our Triple Zero call-takers and dispatchers are dealing with unprecedented call volumes.
But when you call for an ambulance, every Victorian should have the confidence one will arrive. That’s why we’re delivering another 90 paramedics - which means we've added 790 extra paramedics to the workforce since we came to government.
And to help our frontline workers reach Victorians who need help faster, we’re investing $333 million to add nearly 400 new staff to increase Triple Zero call taking and dispatch capacity for Triple Zero services, including ambulances, and training more operators to allocate calls across the state.
We’re also going to make sure that every local community gets the health infrastructure and services they deserve. That’s why this Budget invests $2. billion to build new hospitals and deliver upgrades to health services in every corner of our state, including $12 million for Victoria’s second Mobile Stroke Unit at the Monash Medical Center in Clayton.
By expanding our emergency departments, adding more surgical beds to get more elective surgeries done and increasing maternity care services – this Budget will ensure more Victorians get the very best of care, close to home.
As we roll-out our Pandemic Repair Plan to make sure people in Keysborough get the care they deserve, we're also getting on with delivering the schools, roads and public transport services they rely on.
To make sure every young Victorian gets the education they need for the career they want, the new VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace VCAL, offering students more choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences – preparing students to jump into further study, training at TAFE or work as soon as they leave school.
The VCAL reforms will save many Victorian families up to $1,000 by cutting out-of-pocket costs, with students no longer having to pay for essential learning materials for VET studies.
Continuing our commitment to improve the inclusive nature of school facilities and practices, Athol Road Primary School, Springvale South, has received funding to construct a new accessible toilet adjoining the school's inclusive education learning area.
Local communities also deserve great places to play sport and under an Andrews Labor Government, they will have them. We're investing $88 million to build, upgrade and renovate community sporting infrastructure. This includes up to $400,000 to upgrade changerooms and community spaces at the Serbian Sports Centre in Keysborough.
With this year's Budget, the Andrews Labor Government will make a meaningful investment to support vulnerable Victorians into safe and secure housing. We're investing over $75.3 million to provide vulnerable people with support to get into safe, secure housing.
We’re also continuing to make central Noble Park a more lively, more attractive place for families and businesses, building on the work we’ve already done to create a safe, engaging and accessible community. We are supporting the revitalisation of Noble Park through our successful Suburban Revitalisation Program delivering on-ground works and initiatives for the local community. This is part of an overall budget package worth $9.73 million.
Our public transport system is also receiving further improvements to train travel including making train stations on the Dandenong line more accessible through a package of upgrades to station platforms including at Springvale, Sandown Park, Yarraman and Dandenong. We are also investing in bicycle parking facilities at stations through a $2.66 million program, which will deliver a mix of bicycle parking upgrades at 15 priority train stations across the state including Springvale and Noble Park.
We’re continuing to support on-demand workers and giving eligible casual and contract workers up to five days of sick and carer's pay, so Victorians don't have to choose between their health, and the health of their loved ones.
But that’s not all. We know that many Victorians are still paying too much for their energy bills – that’s why we’re stepping in to help families get the best deal. We're providing a once-off $250 payment for all Victorian households that use the Victorian Energy Compare (VEC) website – the Victorian Government’s independent price comparator website – to search for the cheapest electricity plan that suits their needs.
With this Budget, we’re getting on with delivering for all Victorians.
Quotes attributable to Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“Families in Keysborough deserve the best local health and community services. It’s why we’re investing in the Victorians who deliver them, so they can do what they do best – look after us.”
“Community sport is all about bringing people together. I’m excited that the Serbian Sports Centre will receive upgraded changerooms, ensuring players can play the sport they love in world-class spaces.”
Media contact: Monica Bladier 9547 6262
The Andrews Labor Government is supporting animal welfare organisations across the state to rehome more cats and dogs as well as upgrading and expanding vet clinics.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas visited Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS) in Keysborough today to announce $100,000 in funding for the organisation to help even more dogs find the loving homes they deserve. AAPS will receive the funding as part of Round 10 of the Labor Government’s Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) Grants.
The funding will be used to build ‘The BIG Kennel’ – a meet and greet area where dogs and their prospective new owners can spend quality time getting to know each other, further enhancing the adoption process and reducing return rates.
The area will also serve as a training area for dogs that come into the care of AAPS with behavioral issues.
A total of $1.5 million will be awarded under Round 10 of the AWF Grants Program for:
not-for-profit organisations, shelters and foster carers to support the rehoming of dogs and cats
not-for-profit and community vet clinics to upgrade and expand as well as support new low-cost clinics to be set up in areas of need around Victoria.
The Program delivers grants to eligible not-for profit and community organisations aiming to improve responsible pet ownership and provide better animal welfare services. The grants recognise that companion animals play a significant role in the lives of Victorians.
Since the Labor Government was elected in 2014, $5.9 million has now been awarded for not-for-profit animal shelters, foster care organisations and community vet clinics to directly improve the welfare of pets and other animals in Victoria.
For more information visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas
“We know that pets are an important part of the lives of Victorians. That’s why we are investing in animal welfare organisations across the state to improve outcomes for all and rehome more cats and dogs.”
Quote attributable to Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“These grants recognise the significant role that organisations like AAPS play in improving animal welfare outcomes in our communities.”
Quote attributable to Australian Animal Protection General Manager Society Megan Seccull
“We are so passionate about giving our dogs the very best chance of finding their second chance home and The BIG Kennel will be instrumental in making the experience truly wonderful for both people and the dogs.”
Finding a car park at Yarraman Station is set to become easier, with construction underway to build additional spaces at the station.
Parking at Yarraman Station will increase by 55 extra spaces and commuters will benefit from new accessible parking bays, bicycle parking, lighting, CCTV and new secured Parkiteer bike facilities.
Delivering these new car parks will free up commuter parking in neighbouring streets and make it easier and safer for more locals to catch the train.
Construction has this week started at four stations across the network, including Nar Nar Goon, Drouin, and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project, the projects will also plant around 14,000 new trees, shrubs, and grasses across the four sites, with the new car parks set to open to commuters later this year.
Since 2014 almost 14,000 parking spaces have been delivered at metropolitan and regional stations across the state, and the Labor Government is on track to deliver an additional 7,000 new and upgraded spaces.
The construction coincides with the completion of other car park upgrades as part of the Car Parks for Commuters program, including 100 new and upgraded spaces at Melton, 40 new and upgraded spaces at Jordanville, 300 new and upgraded spaces at Cardinia Road, 130 new spaces at Werribee and 100 new spaces at Aircraft Station.
More information about the project can be found online at: https://carparks.vic.gov.au/.
Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“This is a great win for our community. We’re making sure locals can get a park at Yarraman train station and get where they need to go.”
Quote attributable to Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“I know the community is thrilled to get the extra car parking at Yarraman Station, making it easier to find a car space and catch the train.”
Media Contact: Monica Bladier 03 9547 6262 | monica.bladier2@parliament.vic.gov.au (M Pakula)
Media Contact: Sofia Felton 03 9793 2000 | sofia.felton@parliament.vic.gov.au (G Williams
Finding a car park at Yarraman Station is set to become easier, with construction underway to build additional spaces at the station.
Parking at Yarraman Station will increase by 55 extra spaces and commuters will benefit from new accessible parking bays, bicycle parking, lighting, CCTV and new secured Parkiteer bike facilities.
Delivering these new car parks will free up commuter parking in neighbouring streets and make it easier and safer for more locals to catch the train.
Construction has this week started at four stations across the network, including Nar Nar Goon, Drouin, and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project, the projects will also plant around 14,000 new trees, shrubs, and grasses across the four sites, with the new car parks set to open to commuters later this year.
Since 2014 almost 14,000 parking spaces have been delivered at metropolitan and regional stations across the state, and the Labor Government is on track to deliver an additional 7,000 new and upgraded spaces.
The construction coincides with the completion of other car park upgrades as part of the Car Parks for Commuters program, including 100 new and upgraded spaces at Melton, 40 new and upgraded spaces at Jordanville, 300 new and upgraded spaces at Cardinia Road, 130 new spaces at Werribee and 100 new spaces at Aircraft Station.
More information about the project can be found online at: https://carparks.vic.gov.au/.
Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“This is a great win for our community. We’re making sure locals can get a park at Yarraman train station and get where they need to go.”
Quote attributable to Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“I know the community is thrilled to get the extra car parking at Yarraman Station, making it easier to find a car space and catch the train.”
Media Contact: Monica Bladier 03 9547 6262 | monica.bladier2@parliament.vic.gov.au (M Pakula)
Media Contact: Sofia Felton 03 9793 2000 | sofia.felton@parliament.vic.gov.au (G Williams
Residents in Melbourne’s south-east will benefit from new and improved bus services to connect them to local shopping centres and schools.
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment with a new bus route 816 from Keysborough South to Noble Park Station, providing additional public transport to the growing residential area south of Keysborough.
The route 816 service will run seven days a week, at a frequency of every 30 minutes during the weekday peak and every 60 minutes off peak. On weekends, services will run at a frequency of 60 minutes.
Commuters will be better connected to ongoing transport options with bus services coordinated with trains at Noble Park Station during peak hours.
The new service also means new bus stops will be built along this route, including near Sirius College Keysborough Campus and Mount Hira College to provide students better public transport access to school.
We’re also upgrading route 813 services from Dandenong to Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, benefitting residents who travel to Dandenong, Parkmore Shopping Centre, Springvale, and Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre where the demand for buses is high.
The existing route 815 service from Dandenong to Noble Park will be removed and consolidated with route 813, providing more frequent services and an extended timetable every day of the week. The route 813 service will also be co-ordinated with trains at Dandenong Station during peak times.
Information about the new timetable will be available on October 29 at ptv.vic.gov.au and on the PTV app. The new services will go live on November 28.
The expansion of services is an initiative of the Andrews Labor Government’s Bus Plan and was boosted by $74 million in the 2021/22 State Budget to plan for bus reform and improve bus services in Melbourne’s growth suburbs.
Quotes attributable to Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“Creating new and improved bus services in response to the growing residential population in the south-east makes it a viable transport option for the community.”
“We have made changes to these services to give locals more choice about when they travel and better connections to ongoing transport options.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“Parkmore and Waverley Garden’s shopping centres are popular destinations and I’m pleased we’re improving transport options to these locations giving locals more transport options.”
“The 813 service will also align better with train services at Dandenong Station, helping residents get to and from work and school.”
Residents in Melbourne’s south-east will benefit from new and improved bus services to connect them to local shopping centres and schools.
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment with a new bus route 816 from Keysborough South to Noble Park Station, providing additional public transport to the growing residential area south of Keysborough.
The route 816 service will run seven days a week, at a frequency of every 30 minutes during the weekday peak and every 60 minutes off peak. On weekends, services will run at a frequency of 60 minutes.
Commuters will be better connected to ongoing transport options with bus services coordinated with trains at Noble Park Station during peak hours.
The new service also means new bus stops will be built along this route, including near Sirius College Keysborough Campus and Mount Hira College to provide students better public transport access to school.
We’re also upgrading route 813 services from Dandenong to Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, benefitting residents who travel to Dandenong, Parkmore Shopping Centre, Springvale, and Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre where the demand for buses is high.
The existing route 815 service from Dandenong to Noble Park will be removed and consolidated with route 813, providing more frequent services and an extended timetable every day of the week. The route 813 service will also be co-ordinated with trains at Dandenong Station during peak times.
Information about the new timetable will be available on October 29 at ptv.vic.gov.au and on the PTV app. The new services will go live on November 28.
The expansion of services is an initiative of the Andrews Labor Government’s Bus Plan and was boosted by $74 million in the 2021/22 State Budget to plan for bus reform and improve bus services in Melbourne’s growth suburbs.
Quotes attributable to Member for Keysborough Martin Pakula
“Creating new and improved bus services in response to the growing residential population in the south-east makes it a viable transport option for the community.”
“We have made changes to these services to give locals more choice about when they travel and better connections to ongoing transport options.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“Parkmore and Waverley Garden’s shopping centres are popular destinations and I’m pleased we’re improving transport options to these locations giving locals more transport options.”
“The 813 service will also align better with train services at Dandenong Station, helping residents get to and from work and school.”