20 May 2025

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

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

This Budget invests $46 million for extra train services – including on the Craigieburn 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 Craigieburn line will have trains running at least every 20 minutes during the shoulder peak and off peak including late at night and on weekends.

Every day, locals in Essendon rely on roads to get to work, get the kids to school, and stay connected to family and friends. Through this year’s Budget, we’re delivering a massive investment to upgrade and improve local roads.

The $976 million Better Roads Blitz will be dedicated to fixing and resurfacing roads and upgrading intersections to reduce congestion.

Funding of $6.55 million will upgrade the roundabout at the intersection of Mount Alexander Road, Napier Street and Russell Street in Essendon. It’ll improve traffic flow, enhance safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and reduce congestion at one of Essendon’s busiest intersections.

We’ve helped families in Essendon 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.

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

No one should miss out on the things that make school fun. But the cost of camps, school sports and excursions can be too much for some families in Essendon.

That’s why we’re increasing the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund to help families with a Health Care Card or concession card. Payments will increase from $154 per year for primary school students and $256 per year for secondary students to $400, from 1 January 2026.

Playing sport keeps kids in Essendon active and healthy. But the cost of uniforms, equipment, memberships and more means some young Victorians are forced to sit on the sidelines.

That’s why with this Budget, we’re delivering more than 65,000 extra Get Active Kids vouchers for families who need it most. These vouchers, worth up to $200, help with the cost of sport and recreation memberships, registration fees and essential equipment and uniforms.

With more vouchers, we’ll help remove the financial barrier for families, and make sure kids in Essendon get the chance to play the sport they love.

The Labor Government introduced Australia’s toughest bail laws to protect people in the community from the risk of serious crime – and now, more serious and repeat alleged offenders are going to jail, not getting bail.

That’s why the Victorian Budget 2025/26 will invest $727 million to ramp up capacity in Victoria’s prisons and youth justice centres, bringing more prison beds online to deal with the increasing number of alleged offenders being denied bail.

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 $9 million to double our Community Food Relief Program, delivering grants of up to $75,000 to support frontline organisations.

We’re also strengthening local and statewide food delivery networks, enabling Foodbank to deliver more than 6 million kilograms of food to 500 registered charity partners across the state. And we’re investing $3 million into Foodbank’s GROW program, making sure surplus farm produce doesn’t go to waste and helps struggling Victorians instead.

Getting in to see a GP is hard – especially one who bulk bills. That means too many families in Essendon 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 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 Essendon Danny Pearson

“This roundabout upgrade is about making every day travel safer and smoother for everyone in Essendon. Whether you’re walking the kids to school, commuting to work, or riding your bike – this investment will make a real difference at one of our busiest intersections”

“This Budget delivers real help – when and where it’s needed most.”