WITH $13.7 million from the Victorian Government, Broadford Primary School is poised to begin its upgrade works.
“We will have an event up there soon to start the work out there because they have had their architecture plans all finalised. They will be ready to start construction pretty soon,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said in an interview with the Review on Thursday, as she outlined her priorities for the region.
About Broadford Secondary College planning its future upgrades for which it has received $500,000 funding, Ms Symes said: “They are obviously growing and they need to plan for the future. They are looking at their priorities and so they are things that I am looking at potentially funding in the next little while. They are things that are on my priority list.
“We also have got the (dual lane) roundabout going up at the dangerous intersection for Wandong Road on the corner of Northern Highway and Wandong Road (Epping Kilmore Road). This is something I have been working on for some time. So that will be good to see that happen. And obviously it’s compatible with a future bypass. So that’s why I am quite supportive of the action there.”
Asked about the main criticism about the mid-year Budget update she handed out on Friday that there is no sign of reining in spending, with recurrent government expenses projected to hit $109 billion, the Treasurer said: “As our economy grows, we are focused on the things that matter most to Victorians – helping with the cost of living and supporting families, jobs, and businesses while we open major projects like the Metro Tunnel and Westgate Tunnel”.
About rising government wages bill, with employee expenses forecast to top $39 billion, Ms Symes said: “We make no apologies for supporting our frontline workforce through better pay and conditions for our hardworking nurses and police officers.
“If they had the chance, Jess Wilson (Opposition Leader) and the Nationals will sack nurses, teachers, and police to fill the $11.1 billion budget blackhole that they want to inflict on Victoria.
“Last week we released our response to the Silver Review. We will reduce executive and similar roles by 332 across the public service. Spending on consultants and contractors has already been reduced and is now less than before the pandemic. But the government will go further, reducing spending on consultants and contractors by a further 10 per cent.”
Asked about action is taken to tackle Victoria’s cash deficit of nearly $10 billion, she said the government continues to forecast operating surpluses, with $1.9 billion in 2026-27, $2.4 billion in 2027-28 and $1.5 billion in 2028-29.
About claims that emergency services levy was postponed until after the election because of bad publicity, she said she rejected the premise. These changes are following ongoing consultation with the Victorian Farmers Federation, the Chief Fire Officer at the CFA and the broader agricultural sector.
Explaining whyacharge on residential homes that are not the principal place of residence was postponed, she said “the SRO (State Revenue Office) needs me to develop the administration of this charge”.
Asked whether she has plans to move to the lower house from the legislative assembly, she said: “I am pretty happy in the upper house. I am the leader in the upper house. I feel quite at home where I am”.
