The Allan Labor Government is making life easier, safer and more affordable for families in Bendigo West.

“This Budget delivers real cost of living relief for families across Central Victoria – cheaper fares, 20% off rego, and support for families with the cost of education.” Saud Ms Edwards

“Investments in projects like the Calder Highway/Maiden Gully Road Intersection upgrade, planning for upgrades at Bendigo Senior Secondary College and Stage 2 works for the Regional Community Vet Clinic will make a real local impact.”

Cost of living pressures are being felt by everyone across regional Victoria. Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East means Victorians are paying more for fuel. That's why this Budget delivers 20% off rego, saving a driver with one car up to $186, and a family with two cars up to $372. It’s real help with the cost of living, right now, while still delivering a surplus.

We’re also taking pressure off the pump with free public transport in April and May – then half-price fares from June 1 until the end of the year. This will save the average daily commuter in Bendigo West more than $1,300.

The Rural Financial Counselling service offers free help to families across Bendigo West who are doing it tough, helping them to get their finances back on track.

This Budget invests $1.8 million to continue this important work, supporting local farmers and families.

Regional Victoria is at the heart of this Budget – and this Labor Government.

We’re investing $114 million in regional education. The $75 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund will go towards supporting regional hospitals and health services.

And we’re investing $20 million into the Future Regions Program to boost productivity and livability in the regions. Because no matter where you live, every Victorian deserves access to the same quality public services.

Victoria has one of the best school systems in the world, with NAPLAN results that lead the nation. But the rising cost of living is putting pressure on household budgets. From free School Breakfast Clubs, to more affordable uniforms, this

Budget invests $59.4 million to help families with school-age kids. This includes expanding the Glasses for Kids program to more schools – delivering free eye tests and free glasses to kids who need them.

From Free Kinder to Free TAFE – and everything in between – the Allan Labor Government invests in education. We're transforming early childhood education and delivering Free Kinder – saving families up to $2,700 per child every year.

This Budget also invests nearly half a billion dollars to build and upgrade kinders and government-run childcare centres. And as part of a $1 million package, this Budget invests in planning of a future upgrade to Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

Managing the time between school hours and work hours can be a juggle for every family. But for families with children with disabilities, those challenges can be complicated. We’re helping families by continuing to fund high intensity outside of school hours care at 35 specialist schools, including Bendigo Special Developmental School and Kalianna School.

The Allan Labor Government always invests in our health system. Since 2014, we’ve delivered 11 new hospitals and hired 41,900 nurses, midwives, doctors, and healthcare workers. This Budget invests to hire 250 extra graduate nurses and delivers fast-tracked surgery and specialist appointments for kids. We're investing $1.1 million to continue the Healthy Loddon Campaspe program, helping people stay active and eat well.

Victoria has more police than any other state. With this Budget, we’re boosting police resources by recruiting 200 police reservists for desk jobs. This $62 million investment will free up frontline officers, making sure they’re out where they’re needed most and keeping communities in Bendigo West safe. We’re also
investing $33.5 million in the Violence Reduction Unit, to stop crime before it starts.

Early intervention can help young people stay engaged and connected with their communities and can stop them from offending, keeping them out of the justice system. That’s why this Budget invests $9.46 million to boost Blue Light Victoria’s successful youth mentoring program. The Community Connections Project at

Bendigo Library helps locals access support and promotes safety in the CBD. That’s why the Allan Labor Government is investing $600,000 to continue the program for another two years helping keep Bendigo safe, welcoming and inclusive.

The opening of the new Bendigo Law Courts has delivered modern and secure facilities. And now the former site represents an exciting opportunity. This Budget invests $550,000 to deliver a masterplan for the old law courts, making sure it’s turned into an asset for everyone in Bendigo.

Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, which is why we're delivering an additional $100 million for new CFA tankers and pumpers to ensure our firefighting fleet can protect Victorians. We're also  investing $26.18 million to deliver CFA facilities.

Agribusiness is a cornerstone of our state's economy, and the lifeblood of so many regional communities including in Bendigo. Each year, more than a million sheep and lambs pass through the Bendigo Livestock Exchange. That’s why this Budget invests $1.7 million to deliver stage one of the roof project – protecting this vital economic asset.

This Budget also invests $7.4 million to support those working in agriculture, including backing the next generation of women leaders through the Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring Program.

We’re also investing $600,000 in the next round of capital upgrades for Regional Community Vet Clinic in Castlemaine.

With this Budget, we’re making life easier by giving busy Victorians time back in their day, with better roads and more public transport. We’re funding the biggest roads blitz in the state’s history – $1.04 billion is going towards rebuilding, repairing and resurfacing roads, with 70 per cent of the funds going to regional
Victoria.

As our communities grow, Victoria’s bus network makes it easier for locals in Bendigo West to get around. This Budget invests almost $100 million to deliver more buses where they’re needed most – including an uplift of Route 3 Castlemaine – Harcourt with an additional return trip every day.

Investing in roads helps to give busy Victorians time back in their day. This Budget makes the biggest investment in roads funding – ever. This record spend on road maintenance will fix potholes and upgrade road surfaces, delivering better roads for families in Bendigo West.

We’re also upgrading the Calder Highway and Maiden Gully Rd intersection, helping everyone get home safer and sooner.

Labor is investing in Bendigo West – do the Liberals support our investments, or will they cut them?