The Allan Labor Government is focused on what matters most to families across the Bendigo West electorate, delivering real help with the cost of living and more investment in frontline services.
“This Budget delivers real relief – saving an average Bendigo West family thousands of dollars." Said Ms Edwards
For parents, every dollar counts. It’s why we’re making public transport free for Victorians under 18, delivering 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 visit the grandkids or experience even more of our state – without the extra expense.
And to make sure locals get the most out of these savings, this Budget delivers six car trains on weekend services on the Bendigo line. These additional cars will be targeted to already busy services, with development underway to confirm the new timetable.
We’ve helped families in Bendigo 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.
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, in time for their August winter bills.
Playing sport keeps local kids 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 get the chance to play the sport they love.
The cost of living pressure means 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 support Focused On What Matters Most Victorian Budget 2025/26 for food relief in regional communities, with $6 million for food shares in Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Geelong, Shepparton, Mildura and Warrnambool.
Funding of $9 million will double our Community Food Relief Program, delivering grants of up to $75,000 to support frontline organisations. 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 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 have introduced tough bail laws to keep communities safe. To deal with 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. Funding will also make Bendigo Station even safer with new digital CCTV.
Buda Historic Home and Garden is a Castlemaine landmark. This Budget invests funding to deliver the second stage of the landscape master plan, designed by local landscape architect, Pollen. The works will integrate a section of the gully and the dry creek bed section of the reserve, making Buda even more beautiful.
“Buda is a cherished part of Castlemaine’s heritage, and I’m proud to support its preservation so future generations can continue to enjoy its history and beauty.” Said Ms Edwards
This is a Budget – and a Government – focused on what matters most to Victorians.
