Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I am thrilled to inform the house of several vital school projects listed in the 2016 budget that will benefit my Werribee electorate. Manor Lakes P–12 College will finally be able to complete the build of its school, with $10.9 million allocated for construction of stage 5. I met with the then principal, Jason Smallwood, in 2015 along with the Minister for Education, and we received a presentation and tour of the school grounds from student leaders at the college. We saw at first hand the difficulties encountered with the unprecedented growth in Manor Lakes and the pressure this has placed on the staff to adequately deliver their educational programs.

Warringa Park School will also receive funding for land acquisition and planning for expansion needed to ensure students with special needs are given the opportunities they deserve. Marie Hayes, the acting principal at Warringa Park, discussed with me the stresses on the school with the population growth in the area. This funding will reassure students with special needs and their families that they will be in a place that is adequately directed towards their educational needs.

Werribee will also be home to one of Victoria’s 10 tech schools at the Victoria University campus. Secondary school students will be able to gain vital science, technology, engineering and mathematics — STEM — skills, expanding their opportunities with skills for the future.

These investments are providing essential support for school programs to operate effectively and efficiently and will assist our students to reach their full potential.