Ben Carroll

No family wants to go through a health scare - which is why Labor is investing in 4,000 more planned surgeries for children so they can get care faster.

This is what being Education Minister is all about 😊😊😊

Today Liberal Jess Wilson is releasing her cuts plan to her big business donors. That means cuts to health, cuts to education and cuts to the services you rely on.

We're funding school breakfasts in our Budget because it works. We've already served up more than 33 million bowls of cereal and more than 27 million slices of toast, saving busy families time and money.

We're expanding our free vision testing program to 330 more public schools, meaning students at 1,100 schools can get free glasses if they need it.

Every Victorian child living with a disability deserves the best education. It's why we're boosting support for students at all public and specialist schools. We're giving schools the tools they need to improve accessibility, employ additional specialist staff and provide training for teachers to better support students with disabilities. This means children with disability can access the care they need and the support they deserve.

We're investing in cost of living relief so Victorian students can get free glasses, breakfasts and uniforms - so no student goes without.

We're upgrading local schools including Keilor Heights Primary School, Essendon Keilor College - Essendon Campus, and Essendon North Primary School in this Budget.

BREAKING: We will build new schools and expand and upgrade existing ones, creating over 12,700 additional places for students.

Families and students who were impacted by exam issues in 2024 would understand how important it is that the VCAA gets it right. I was disappointed, and so were you. It's clear why the VCAA needs to be at it's best - so our students can focus on their studies. So yesterday we announced we're restoring the VCAA to set it up for the future. The independent review into the VCAA has already been finished - and we're rolling out the reforms. Changes like upgrading technology, more safeguards and better governance. It'll mean students sitting their exams have one less thing to worry about. This announcement means the VCAA can do just that.

We're launching a major blitz to remove rubbish and clean up graffiti on our 10 busiest freeways: • Monash Freeway • Princes Freeway West • Western Freeway • West Gate Freeway • Hume Freeway • Calder Freeway • Western Ring Road • South Gippsland Freeway • Mornington Peninsula Freeway • Tullamarine Freeway

Victorians are saving up to $228 this month with free public transport.

When I was little my grandfathers told me about the war. One was a Prisoner of War in Europe. The other fought in the Pacific. I can’t imagine Neo Nazis marching in the streets when they were alive. That generation is now all but gone. And that makes learning history more important than ever. adelaidenow.com.au/education/scho…

I love this teacher (Jonathan Buchwalter) who gave the best testimonial for phone free schools last year. He strikes again with this observation: there is a big SES divide in who is raised on ipads/screens, and who is protected, which will amplify social class inequality:

We’re taking 20% off rego to help Victorians deal with the cost of living. Like cheaper public transport, this won’t fix everything, but it’s immediate action I can take to make a difference.

War in the Middle East is still resulting in higher prices at the pump. That’s why we're taking 20% off your car rego from the 1st June.

A final piece of advice from Holly Butcher - written the day before she passed away from cancer at just 27: “It’s a strange thing knowing you’re going to die young. At 26, I thought I had time… To fall in love. Start a family. Grow old. But cancer doesn’t care about plans. Now, I understand how fragile life really is. Every single day is a gift, not a guarantee. I’m not writing this to scare you. I’m writing to remind you: really live. Stop stressing over little things. Be kind to your body- move it, nourish it, stop criticizing it. One day you’ll wish you had appreciated it. Go outside. Look at the sky. Feel the sun. Just be. Spend less time chasing “stuff” - more time making memories. Don’t skip moments with people you love. Laugh more. Write a note. Tell someone you love them. Complain less. Give more. Helping others brings more joy than anything you can buy. Be present. Put your phone down. Show up - really show up. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need a perfect body, or a perfect life. Just follow what makes your heart light up. Say no to what drains you. Make changes when you need to. And please - donate blood. I wouldn’t have had that extra year without it. And that year gave me memories I’ll hold close… forever. Thank you for reading this. Live your life well. And maybe… we’ll meet again someday.” Holly 🩷 Repost & share Holly’s important advice. ❤️

First week back as the Minister for Medical Research and it was good to see plenty of friendly faces. Victoria is leading the nation in medical research - and it is all powered by our incredible institutes and researchers. It was great to take the time to recognise them and their accomplishments at the Premier’s Awards for Health and Medical Research. Well done all.

Dear kids 5 to 20 years of age: Read books. Hard, paper books. As much as you can. Make it a habit, a lifelong pursuit. Ensure best brain development.

BREAKING: We're extending free PT until the end of May - then making fares half-price from June 1 for the rest of the year to help take pressure off at the pump.