Wednesday, 21 September 2022

Sydenham electorate achievements

Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (09:45): It has been a remarkable four years, and I stand here proudly to talk about what we have delivered in the seat of Sydenham and across the broader west. We have built the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital and opened it successfully. We have constructed a brand new emergency department at Sunshine Hospital. We have got a commitment to build the Melton hospital. We have got a redevelopment of Footscray Hospital, which is coming out of the ground at a rate of knots. We have constructed a new Taylors Lakes ambulance station that is on the verge of opening. I am so pleased for the people of Sydenham. They have told us what they want—that is, better health—and they are getting it.

They have also indicated that the Melton Highway level crossing is something that they are pleased to see has been removed, along with six other level crossings along the Sunbury line. I am really pleased that we have committed to getting rid of the dangerous level crossing at Calder Park Drive. We are also duplicating Melton Highway in the Hillside and Plumpton areas, and of course we have delivered free TAFE courses that have been taken up in abundance by residents of my electorate.

We have invested billions in Victorian schools over many years, and I am particularly proud of the hundreds of millions of dollars in investment across Melton and Brimbank schools, which continues to deliver better education outcomes and facilities for our students and for our teachers. This is in stark contrast to the Libs.