Education a top priority for the southern suburbs in a family first Budget

STATE BUDGET 2004-05: FAMILIES FIRST
SOUTHERN SUBURBS
6/5/04
An enormous investment in education is the hallmark of this year's State Budget in the southern suburbs, underpinning the Gallop Government's commitment to make Western Australia a better place for families.
More than $9.1million has been allocated to complete work on two new replacement primary schools in Willagee and Melville. A further $3.4million will also be spent on additions and improvements to Melville Senior High School.
Treasurer Eric Ripper said child protection, providing more public housing, support for both low-income home buyers and seniors and transport concessions, were highlights of this year's family first Budget.
Mr Ripper said the Government's fourth balanced Budget delivered tax relief, a crackdown on crime and recognised that more jobs, better health services and quality education remained top community priorities.

"The Government's spending increases in key areas such as health, education and community safety shows we are putting families first," he said.
"Health alone will receive 25 per cent or $2.8billion of the total Budget spending, with money set aside to employ an extra 115 nurses on top of the 927 already recruited."
Fremantle Hospital will receive $4.1million for the purchase of a new Magnetic Imaging Resonance machine and $2.6million will be spent upgrading the hospital's operating theatre and refurbishing wards.
The construction of a new tertiary hospital in Murdoch to service the south metropolitan region will begin with a $500,000 budget allocation. Work on upgrades to the South Metropolitan Dental Clinic will also be completed ($1.3million).
The Treasurer said the Government's record capital works investment aimed to keep the WA economy growing strongly, creating more jobs and opportunities.
Key capital works projects funded in the southern suburbs include:

• $42.2million to construct the section of Roe Highway from South Street to the Kwinana Freeway;
• $1.5million to upgrade the Point Walter Recreation and Conference Centre;
• $474,000 for the development of the Clive Street sewerage pumping station; and
• $900,000 to complete the Murdoch fire station.

Mr Ripper said the State's police budget this year was a record total of $615.8million, an increase of 7.5 per cent.
Funding education was a major priority in the area.
"In addition to funding new buildings, the Government's successful Behaviour Management and Discipline Program will also be extended in 2004-05, with a $36.5million funding boost over four years to provide our young people with the best start in life," the Treasurer said.
In the past year nearly 23 specialist literacy and numeracy teachers have been employed in the south metropolitan region alone, as part of the Getting it Right Literacy and Numeracy Program.
The region has also been targeted for participation in the 100 Schools Project to boost student skills in information technology. Local schools will be provided with $956,098 in extra funding over the next 12-months for the rollout of new information technology equipment.
The Gallop Government has committed a further $10.3million over four years to purchase and provide additional resources for public libraries State-wide.
Mr Ripper said the Government was also investing in important infrastructure to build a strong economy with new jobs and opportunities.
"A prime example of this commitment is the $1.5billion New MetroRail project, which is expected to begin services to Mandurah by late 2006," he said.
The Treasurer said while all families would benefit from the initiatives funded in this Budget, those targeting the vulnerable and the needy demonstrated our maturity and commitment as a community.
Treasurer's office: 9222 9795