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

Cost of living pressures are being felt by everyone across regional Victoria. 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 $348. It provides assistance 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 Bellarine more than $1,300.

The Rural Financial Counselling service offers free help to families across Bellarine 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 families and farmers.

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.

This Budget continues to deliver targeted programs and supports for schools, making sure every student can get the most out of their education, including $106,000 to continue the Farm My School program at Bellarine Secondary College.

This Budget delivers upgrades to 59 more schools across the state. Locally, Surfside Primary School is receiving $11.6 million for a new, competition grade, indoor gym and we’re investing $498,000 for upgrades at Drysdale Primary School – because Labor is making sure kids get the education they deserve in world class facilities.

We're also creating career pathways for secondary students, into rewarding jobs in in-demand industries. This Budget delivers $792,000 to continue the Skilling the Bay program, helping kids across Bellarine reach their potential.

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.

As part of our $284 million investment to open and expand more hospitals in growing outer suburbs and regions, this Budget funds the transition of palliative care beds from the McKellar Centre (Barwon Health) to a purpose-built hospice and respite facility at Anam Cara House.

As part of our $284 million investment to open and expand more hospitals in growing outer suburbs and regions, we're delivering $20.3 million for the uplift of the University Hospital Geelong paediatric emergency department. With this investment, the Allan Labor Government is making it easier to get quality, affordable public healthcare in our community.

In Victoria, equality is not negotiable. Everyone has the right to be who they are, and we proudly celebrate our LGBTIQA+ communities. That’s why the Allan Labor Government is investing $2 million in mental health and peer support for LGBTIQA+ young people in the Geelong region, through Qhub.

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 Bellarine safe. We’re also investing $33.5 million in the Violence Reduction Unit, to stop crime before it starts.

Early intervention programs help prevent reoffending and keep the community safe. That’s why this Budget invests $3 million in the Youth Crime Prevention and Early Intervention Project, where police and WEstJustice have partnered to help at-risk young people get their lives back on track.

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. The Allan Labor Government is backing our emergency services, making sure they have the resources they need to keep communities in Point Lonsdale safe. With this Budget, we're investing $500,000 to complete facilities at Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC).

Agribusiness is one of the biggest economic drivers to our state's economy, and is the lifeblood of so many regional communities, including the Bellarine. This Budget 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.

For generations, the Country Women’s Association of Victoria have been looking out for regional communities. The Allan Labor Government is proud to support their work, investing $150,000 in this Budget to help the CWA provide financial relief and practical help to women, children and families in need.

The Geelong region is growing, and we need more homes for local families. This Budget invests $311,000 to support the Geelong Authority, helping to support housing delivery in Greater Geelong.

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.

Victoria’s bus network makes it easier for locals in Bellarine to get around. This Budget invests almost $100 million to deliver more buses where they’re needed most – including a new route between Drysdale and Ocean Grove, connecting the Bellarine. This Budget also invests funding to continue the Portarlington Ferry, helping locals get where they need to.

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 of spending on road maintenance will fix potholes and upgrade road surfaces, delivering better roads for families in Bellarine. We’re also funding a new pedestrian crossing on Barwon Heads Road in Connewarre, helping all road users get home safer and sooner.

Community sporting clubs bring Bellarine locals together. Through our Get Active Kids voucher program, we're making sure the cost of fees and equipment doesn't keep kids from playing the sport they love. And we're also investing to make local clubs even stronger. This Budget invests $350,000 to deliver master planning and facility upgrades at Clifton Springs Bowls Club, making local facilities even better.

Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant

“I’m proud to be delivering meaningful cost of living relief, with practical support to ease the pressure for families across the Bellarine.”

“This Budget invests in the healthcare, public transport and school facilities our Bellarine community relies on every day.”