Working for a strong future

Geelong’s best days lie ahead but they won’t be realised without action and hard work.
Over the past 100 years Geelong has been at the centre of Victoria’s growth.
In 2016 I want to put this great city at the heart of our state for the next 100 years.
We’ve spent our first year in government getting Victoria back on track and haven’t wasted a single day.
I promised the $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund to save our TAFE system from collapsing after years of cuts.
We delivered that fund, which has thrown a lifeline to TAFE campuses including Geelong’s own Gordon TAFE after it faced huge cuts and course closures at a time when locals need it most.
Our first budget secured $4 billion for our schools, representing the single biggest boost to education funding in Victoria’s history.
In Geelong, we’re delivering record increases in equity funding and making good on our promises to upgrade schools such as Geelong High, Northern Bay and Bellarine Secondary.
Our Back to Work plan – the first piece of legislation we introduced into parliament – aims to create 100,000 jobs.
We’ve already created approximately 79,000 jobs across the state since being elected.
In 2016, I’ll work hard to create even more.
We’ve secured the long-term future of Avalon Airport, saving local jobs and creating new opportunities for tourism operators.
The airport will soon serve four Australian capital cities and offer about 900,000 seats to and from Avalon each year.
We’ve taken action to get Geelong moving, with the establishment of the Geelong Authority. The authority is fast-tracking planning and development to make sure unnecessary red tape doesn’t get in the way of local investment and new jobs.
We’ve also made a fast start on getting Simonds Stadium upgraded so Geelong enjoys bigger and better major events at regional Australia’s top stadium as well as giving the Cats a ground they can be proud of.
I promised to end the war on our paramedics, to work with them, not against them, to fix our ambulance system and help save lives. And that’s exactly what we’ve done.
In 2015 we secured the comprehensive $45.5 million Ice Action Plan to stop this scourge on the streets and at its source.
Our plan gives police and experts the resources they need to crack down on the dealers and the support that families need to make it through tough times.
In 2016 I’ll drive my team to create more jobs, invest in our schools, repair our health system and ensure Victoria remains the best place to live and visit.
Geelong is a great city and we’ll work hard to ensure it has a strong future.
Daniel Andrews,
Premier of Victoria.