Tuesday, 20 May 2025   

The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most to families in Northern Victoria, delivering real help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.  

We want young Victorians to have everything they need to succeed. It's why this Budget invests in upgrading schools across our state, with $13.7 million to upgrade Broadford Primary School, as well as $11.7 million for Wangaratta High School.  

A further $453,000 will deliver upgrades a St Georges Primary School in Shepparton, while an additional $121,000 will upgrade toilets at Tallangatta Secondary College.  

This Budget also invests in making sure our schools keep up with our growing community.   

That means kick-starting planning on even better learning spaces with $500,000 each for Lancaster Primary School, Yarrawonga College and Broadford Secondary College.    

Our buses give locals the choice to leave the car at home, saving money on fuel and parking.  

This Budget invests $729,000 to keep running Yarrawonga Flexiride helping locals to get where they need to go, with on-demand bus services booked through the app. A $1.39 million investment will also continue to maintain services between Robinvale and Mildura.  

This Budget also invests $52 million to boost regional train services – with the Seymour Line benefitting from an additional service in the morning and afternoon peak.  

For locals from Kilmore to Seymour that means trains to and from the CBD every 20 minutes during the morning and evening peak — getting you home sooner.  

For parents in Northern Victoria, every dollar counts. It’s why we’re making public transport free for Victorians under 18. It’ll mean savings of up to $755 a year – per child.  With free PT for under 18s, we’re ensuring cheaper school runs, more affordable weekends – and one less thing for families to worry about.  

It’ll make Victoria the first state to introduce free public transport for kids and teens, with the investment beginning 1 January 2026.  

Costs can also add up for seniors. It’s why with this Budget, we’re making statewide public transport free for Victorians aged 60 and over on weekends.  From 1 January 2026, this change will help Victorians with a Seniors Card in Northern Victoria visit the grandkids or experience even more of our state – without the extra expense.   

Funding will support upgrades to the Country Fire Authority satellite station at Leitchville. This investment will make sure that local volunteers have the facilities they need to continue keeping our community safe.    

Free Kinder is saving families in Northern Victoria up to $2,600 per child on fees, and making sure young Victorians get all the benefits of two years of play-based learning.   

This year alone, Free Kinder is helping over 150,000 families. This Budget continues that support, with an additional $2 billion investment.   

Families across Northern Victoria love their community sport.   

And the Mount Beauty United Cricket Club brings together players of all ages and all abilities.   

This Budget will provide funding of up to $175,000 for new practice nets for the club.  

Up to $150,000 will also fund resurfacing netball courts at the Benalla Saints Football Netball Club.  

It’ll mean even better facilities for these clubs and their supporters.   

Up to $250,000 will fund the delivery of a new Pump Track for Yackandandah – making cycling in Victoria’s High Country even better.  

Northern Victoria’s agricultural sector is vital to Victoria’s economy, and local communities. That’s why this Budget invests $250,000 to support the continuation of the Rural Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program, supporting our farmers and the next generation of leaders. To protect prime agricultural land we’re  also continuing the Fox Bounty, as well as investing $9.2 million into pest animal management.   

Cost of living pressures mean more Australians are relying on the help of food relief charities.     

With this Budget, we’re delivering an extra $18 million in funding to support their work. That includes doubling key support for food relief in regional communities, with $6 million for food shares in Albury-Wodonga, Geelong, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mildura and Warrnambool.    

We’re also strengthening local and statewide food delivery networks, enabling Foodbank to deliver about 480,000 kilograms of food to six Regional Foodshares. And we’re investing $3 million into Foodbank’s GROW program, making sure surplus produce doesn’t go to waste and helps struggling Victorians instead.   

We’ve helped families in Northern Victoria slash thousands off their power bills by switching to solar and making their homes more energy efficient. This Budget delivers more rebates for energy efficient heat pumps and solar hot water systems, so that more families can save up to $400 a year on their energy bills.   

We’re also providing energy bill relief to those doing it tough in Northern Victoria. This Budget delivers a $100 Power Saving Bonus to eligible Victorian households with a concession card, in time for their August winter bills.    

We’re also making it easier and more affordable to access care. This Budget invests a further $18 million to enable pharmacists to treat even more Victorians with even more conditions – without a trip to the doctor for a prescription. Previously trialled as the Community Pharmacy Pilot, this investment locks it in for good – and makes it even bigger.   

That means pharmacies will be able to treat more conditions with medicines usually only available with a GP script – including allergies, nausea, high blood pressure and minor wound care, with more conditions added progressively over the next two years. We’re also covering the cost of the consult – ensuring Victorians can access care for free  

This is a Budget – and a Government – focused on what matters most to Victorians.  

Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes  

"With this Budget – my first as Treasurer – we’re focused on what matters most to Victorian families. That means real help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.”   

“Free public transport for under 18s will be big for families in Northern Victoria – giving families one less thing to worry about.”