TRANSCRIPT:
It is with great pleasure that I rise today to address the motion put forth by the Minister for Education. While this motion seems to be nothing more than a self-congratulatory gesture by the Labor government, it fails to capture the true reality of the education situation across the state of Victoria, so I am grateful for this chance to give the government a reality check. I urge the Minister for Education to acknowledge and address the pressing issues faced by regional schools as they continue to be neglected by the current government. The irony of the statement ‘building the Education State’ becomes abundantly clear when we witness the inadequate infrastructure in regional Victorian schools.
In the town of Kilmore, a major growth area of our state with a booming population, there remains no public secondary school. The only secondary school in Kilmore is Assumption College, an undoubtedly excellent school. However, for many locals this private school is simply not a realistic option. Fees start at more than $8500 per year, and as much as $34,000 for boarding options. Meanwhile, the average family income in Kilmore and many neighbouring towns sits below the state’s median. Those unable to afford the fees at Assumption College are forced to send their children to schools out of town, which hardly aligns with the government’s claims of supporting student wellbeing. More than 300 students currently living in Kilmore travel to another town to seek education, with additional bus fees, time spent commuting, and a lack of time for hobbies, work and family all adding up. This issue has been raised several times. The Nationals made an election commitment to fund a business case for the school and multiple questions have been posed to the Minister for Education. While a site has been identified for the building of this school, in the minister’s own words:
… there are no immediate plans to fund the construction or building of a … school …
Meanwhile, neighbouring Broadford, another rising area of our great state, has been turning students away at their local secondary college. The school is at capacity yet is still expected to pick up the slack and support students from towns like Kilmore that remain without a public secondary school. To counter this, we made another election commitment to fund $8 million worth of upgrades to the school to improve their facilities and expand their ability to welcome students. Yet again this issue has been raised with the minister on multiple occasions. The responses have been inconsistent, to say the least. In February we were told by the minister that the school was not experiencing enrolment issues. Then in March we were told they received an enrolment management plan, limiting the amount of students that could enrol. This government is out of touch; clueless behaviour does not strike me as being worthy of the praise suggested in this motion. Regional students should not have to settle for second best, particularly when the Labor government is boasting about the work they are doing.
The issues faced by Kilmore and Broadford are not isolated incidents. Seymour College continue to campaign for the final piece of funding to complete their rebuild, only to be consistently ignored by the Labor government. The Nationals understand the value these schools hold for their communities, whereas the Melbourne-focused Labor government appears to be out of touch and indifferent to the needs of regional areas.
When it comes to kindergarten and child care, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the deep-rooted issues that plague our system. The problem with accessibility to preschool and kinder extends beyond the direct cost of tuition. Many areas, including a significant portion of the Euroa electorate, are classified as childcare deserts, where there are less than 0.33 childcare places available per child in our community. It is disheartening to hear stories of parents who are struggling to make ends meet, yet are unable to work because they cannot secure reliable care for their children. The state is experiencing a labour crisis and a cost-of-living crisis, and the lack of accessible child care exacerbates these challenges. The burden falls disproportionately on parents who are financially strained, preventing them from engaging in meaningful work opportunities that could provide economic stability for their families. Our major towns are not inaccessible backwaters, but they are placed at a disadvantage when child care is so rare.
Within my electorate, we have got huge shortages in Avenel, Nagambie and Seymour. While Seymour is receiving a new childcare centre, these issues will not be resolved overnight. Some towns simply do not have any kinder, which has a massive impact on the town’s future, with families choosing to relocate most of their lives to bigger centres like Shepparton. In metro areas childcare centres are usually separated from kindergartens, whereas this is not the case in regional areas. An extra kinder place can mean losing a childcare place, and with pressure on both waitlists in places like Nagambie it is just not sustainable for the community, with kids and families continually missing out. I have experienced this firsthand, with my daughter on a waitlist for two years, and we need to have a serious conversation on reform and simplification to make this process work for our local economy and most importantly our families. I might add my daughter is two years old.
On a last point, I want to bring up the difficulties my electorate has had with changes to TAFE facilities, particularly in Benalla, where my electorate office is based. The government has proudly announced the availability of over 70 free TAFE courses in an attempt to address Victoria’s job shortage and bolster education. While this might warrant a high five and applause on the surface by this government, a closer look reveals the stark reality that this initiative is falling short of making any meaningful impact. In Benalla the purpose-built facility that once served the community was closed down and handed over to a local Christian school behind closed doors. In its place an old ANZ bank building now functions as the TAFE, a woefully inadequate environment that is hardly conducive to learning.
Our local education advocate David Moore said that despite Benalla having a large aviation industry, the government has not considered the need for courses surrounding aviation, drones or mechanics. Mr Moore said this oversight only compounds the problem and further undermines the potential for meaningful job growth in the region. Nonetheless, the Labor government unveiled this new TAFE location with much fanfare and self-congratulation, complete with oversize banners and press releases, but the community can see straight through this. The reality is that students have been forced to travel to other towns and campuses to continue their education, further burdening them and their families. In addition to the inadequacies of the current course offerings, the government has prematurely removed some courses before they even had a chance to grow. Mr Moore said this short-sightedness not only stifles innovation but also limits the opportunities for students to find fulfilling careers.
This ill-conceived plan has cost the community much more than just a quality education. TAFE completion rates are plummeting, and dropout rates in the first year are on the rise. One constituent told me this was a backward step in a struggling community. When I hear the Labor government commend themselves on building the Education State, I implore them to remove their Melbourne-tinted glasses and face the stark reality of our education system. They must strip away the facade of self-congratulation and acknowledge the ongoing issues with education in regional Victoria. The current government’s myopic, Melbourne-centric perspective has left regional communities neglected, burdened and struggling to secure a promising future for their children. The issues plaguing Kilmore, Broadford, Seymour, Benalla and countless others are not isolated incidents. They are the result of a government that has consistently failed to address the needs of regional Victorians. We must demand better for our students and our families, ensuring that quality education and child care are available for every Victorian.
No longer can we allow regional students to settle for second best. It is time for the government to not just build the Education State in name alone but to take tangible action that delivers real change and opportunities for the people who need them most. Creating a truly inclusive, equitable and thriving education system that empowers our communities, drives economic growth and cultivates a brighter future for all Victorians is imperative. Just finally, I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to the outstanding staff and teachers in my electorate of Euroa. Both our students and parents are grateful for all you do.