FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST TO FAMILIES IN FOOTSCRAY

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

For parents in Footscray, 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 Footscray visit the grandkids or experience even more of our state – without the extra expense.   

We’ve helped families in Footscray 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 Footscray. This Budget delivers a $100 Power Saving Bonus to eligible Victorian households with a concession card, in time for their August winter bills.  

Free Kinder is saving families in Footscray 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.   

It’s some much-needed cost of living help for families in Footscray, while also making sure every child gets the very best start in life.  

With this year’s Budget, we’re getting ready to open the new Footscray Hospital – providing world-class care to families in Melbourne’s west.   

It’ll deliver a brand-new emergency department and mental health and alcohol and other drugs hub, as well as other treatment and specialist areas. It will also provide expanded radiology and medical imaging services.   

Not only will the new Footscray Hospital deliver better care for local families, it’ll also position the inner west as a leading health, education and research precinct.   

And to make sure workers and patients can leave the car at home and take public transport, this Budget delivers $10.7 million for an accessible tram stop at the new Footscray Hospital.  

Getting in to see a GP is hard – especially one who bulk bills. That means too many families in Footscray put off looking after their health.    

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 families in Footscray can access care for free.  

The Metro Tunnel will open this year, with twin nine-kilometre tunnels running underneath the CBD and five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac.   

This critical infrastructure investment will double the size of Melbourne’s underground rail network and create a second rail line under the city, easing congestion in the City Loop for more reliable services on other lines.   

It’ll also link the Sunbury line in the north-west with the Cranbourne-Pakenham lines in the south-east, creating a new continuous connection.  

And to bring it all to life – this Budget invests $727 million to enable turn up and go services through the Metro Tunnel, and along the Sunbury, Cranbourne an Pakenham lines – meaning more trains for local families.   

This Budget also invests $46 million for extra train services – including on the Werribee Line.   

These additional services are made possible by the extra capacity created through the City Loop – thanks to the new Metro Tunnel, opening later this year. That means passengers on the Werribee Line benefit from two extra trains per hour in the morning and afternoon peaks.  

In partnership with the Albanese Labor Government, the Labor Government is building a new transport superhub in Sunshine, key to delivering Airport Rail and the first step for electrification to Melton.  

To fast-track the project, this Budget allocates $4 billion towards the Sunshine Station redevelopment – bringing forward $2 billion of the Government's investment in Airport Rail – to kickstart works as soon as possible.  

The Sunshine Station Superhub will untangle a complex section of the rail network around Sunshine Station. It will span more than 6 kilometres of track from West Footscray to Albion, include two new dedicated regional platforms and an extended station concourse.    

The project will also deliver a brand-new station at Albion, three new rail bridges, new and upgraded tracks, new signalling technology, and realigned passenger and freight lines.  

Once complete, the works will enable more than 40 trains to travel through Sunshine Station every hour and will create better connections for people travelling to the city and regional Victoria.   

We have introduced tough bail laws to keep communities safe.  

To manage the increasing number of alleged offenders being denied bail, this Budget invests $727 million to ramp up capacity in Victoria’s prisons, delivering almost 1,000 extra adult prison beds and 88 youth justice beds, as well as funding to attract, train and support over 700 new prison officers.  

A further $13 million will support Australia’s first machete ban, alongside new powers for Victoria Police to search for dangerous weapons.  

This Budget will also deliver $14.5 million for the construction of a new State Emergency Service unit in Footscray. This investment will make sure that local volunteers have the facilities they need to continue keeping our community safe during emergencies.    

Every family deserves a great local school. It's why this Budget invests $333 million for more than 35 school upgrades around the state – including $493,000 for Yarraville West Primary School. This investment will deliver a new secure entry for the school, complete with an electronic door.  

Further funding will kick-start planning on even better learning spaces for Maribyrnong Secondary College – supporting kids in Maribyrnong to get the best education they can.  

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

Quotes attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall  

“Keeping our community safe is always my top priority. Whether it’s through stronger emergency services, better infrastructure, or local partnerships, I’m committed to making sure everyone in Footscray feels supported, protected, and safe.”  

“This Budget delivers real cost of living help – saving families in Footscray thousands.”