By Rowan Forster
Labor will deliver just $50,000 of the $1.3 million package promised to develop Berwick Secondary College’s mental health facility in the 2018-19 financial year.
Despite citing the urgent need for the hub, the party will only front roughly 3.8 per cent of the total project cost in the coming round of state spending.
However, Labor has committed to funding the full development of the centre in the years to come – listing the complete price tag in this year’s budget papers.
The facility’s completion date will likely be pushed back to 2021.Gembrook MP Brad Battin and Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley have traded blows over the funding fiasco, accusing each other of lying to the Casey-Cardinia community.
Mr Battin was quick to lambaste the Andrews Government.
“It is a disgrace the Andrews Labor Government went to Berwick College, posed for a photo and told staff and students the much needed Health and Wellbeing Centre would be funded in the next budget, to today discover only $50,000 has been set aside,” he said.
In retaliation, Ms Graley clarified that the $1.3 million had been fully accounted for in the budget.
She delivered a scathing attack against the Member for Gembrook.
“This isn’t new for Brad Battin, he is well known for his incompetence and lack of honesty,” she said.
“If he truly cared about this community he would get behind this project and see the benefits it will provide our community.”
The Gazette contacted Berwick Secondary College principal Kerri Bolch for comment but has not yet received a response.
Calls for the hub surged in 2013 after the region’s harrowing rate of teen suicides was revealed.Between 2011 and 2012, 12 young people took their lives.
In the lead up to the initial Labor funding announcement, made on 20 April, Mr Battin goaded the party to act by making a commitment of his own.Youth worker Matt Simms, who previously weighed in on the “troubling phenomenon”, said another three years is too long to wait.
“You’d hope they could contribute a bit more than $50,000, considering the amount that has been spent in the budget,” he said.
“It’s extraordinary that the money is there though.
“It’ll be such a welcome addition when it eventually is completed.”
