Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (09:43): I rise to update the house on three new schools that have recently opened in my electorate. In our rapidly growing community access to education is vital. That is why the Allan Labor government invested more than $500 million in the 2022–23 state budget for the construction of new schools right across our great state. I congratulate Nganboo Borron School, Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College and Laa Yulta Primary School on their recent opening. Of course more schools mean more local kids have more access to quality education in their immediate community. All these schools are equipped with modern learning areas, air conditioning and heating and outside shade sails for sun protection. I want to congratulate the principals respectively: Michele Marcu, Brad Moyle and Mark Zahra. I look forward to meeting with them all in due course.

As a result of the Allan Labor government’s investment, 50 per cent of all new schools opening this year are in the Wyndham LGA. These new schools highlight the needs of our growing youth community, and I wish all the students at these schools all the very best as they start or continue their education journey.