By Lauren Henry 

Ararat and Stawell primary schools were the big winners in the region as details of the 2026-27 Victorian Budget were released yesterday. 

Ararat Primary School will receive a funding allocation of $9.358-million, while Stawell Primary School has been allocated $12.397-million for upgrades, with an estimated completion date by 2029.

They are among 31 government schools – including nine in regional Victoria – that will be upgraded through a $294.8-million allocation.

The Budget also features $481-million for regional transport services – with transport across Victoria a key feature of this year’s budget, including a 20 per cent savings on all car registrations, saving regional drivers with one car up to $186, and a family with two cars $348. 

But Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the budget sealed Premier Jacinta Allan and Labor’s legacy as the ‘most fiscally reckless government in Victoria’s history’.

Ms Kealy said the budget was one of higher debt, higher taxes, higher interest repayments, blowouts and delays, and lacked any plan to grow the state’s economy or provide meaningful support to Victorians.

She said the budget contradicted Ms Allan’s claims of a ‘surplus’, by confirming a cash deficit of $7.7-billion. 

“Under Labor, criminal offending is at an all-time high, it takes longer to get an ambulance today than it did 10 years ago, construction of new homes is at a decade low, roads are littered with potholes and at least $15-billion has been lost to corruption on major projects,” she said.

“In coming years, interest repayments will reach $1.35-million an hour and Victoria will spend more money servicing its record debt than it does on Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and all kindergarten services combined.

“Victoria cannot continue on this path. 

“Our state needs a fresh start and a new approach to managing the books – one that is honest, transparent and clear about the challenges ahead, and that is what the Nationals and Liberals will deliver in government.”

Ms Kealy said cuts to regional development and agriculture showed Labor continued to ignore the needs of regional Victorians.

“At the same time, Victorians are hit with a $6.87-billion bill for the emergency services tax –  double what they used to pay under the Fire Services Property Levy,” she said.

“This is a bad Labor government which should tell the truth: every unfunded promise today is a tax hike or a service cut tomorrow.”

Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora said the Budget provided $5.9-million for programs that supported the health, safety and wellbeing of farmers and agricultural communities, including funding for the National Centre for Farmer Health and for the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

“This Budget delivers real cost of living relief for families across western Victoria – 20 per cent off rego and support for families with the cost of education,” she said.

The entire May 6, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!