The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most to families in Knox, delivering real help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.
We want young Victorians to have everything they need to succeed. It's why this Budget invests to build, maintain and upgrade schools across our state, including at Wattle View Primary School.
A $116,700 investment will deliver an upgrade to the toilets – making sure facilities keep up with needs of this growing school.
Local parents know that 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.
Travel 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 Knox visit the grandkids or experience even more of our state – without the extra expense.
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 Knox.
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 Knox 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 Knox get the chance to play the sport they love.
Community spaces in Knox should feel safe and accessible to everyone.
That’s why this Budget delivers lighting upgrades to improve safety and amenity around the Mountain Gate Shopping Centre in Ferntree Gully and The Basin Triangle Park.
It also delivers funding to install tactile ground surface indicators – making the platform edge safer, particularly for people with a disability – at Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully stations.
We’ve helped families in Knox 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 on their energy bills each year.
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.
We’re also providing energy bill relief to those doing it tough. This Budget delivers a $100 Power Saving Bonus to eligible Victorian households with a concession card, delivered in time for winter bills in August.
Getting in to see a GP is hard – especially one who bulk bills. That means too many families in Knox 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 Bayswater Jackson Taylor
"This Budget is all about focusing on the things that matter most to families in Knox – whether it’s help with the cost of living, improved schools, or cheaper healthcare.”
“This Budget delivers real relief – saving an average Knox family thousands of dollars.”
