The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is calling on regional families, teachers, and community members to join the “Country Kids Count Too” pledge, advocating for investment in country schools and ensuring that students in regional Victoria are not left behind.
“Too often, the priorities of the city-focused Labor Government leave country students struggling in unsafe and inadequate learning environments,” Ms Benham said.
“With Victorian government schools the lowest funded in Australia, it’s regional kids who are paying the price. Country kids deserve the same investment as city kids and that’s exactly what the ‘Country Kids Count Too’ pledge is about.”
The pledge allows supporters to join The Nationals in calling on the government to deliver safe, well-maintained schools in regional areas, where students face challenges such as extreme heat, aging infrastructure, and limited resources.
Ms Benham highlighted the risks faced by students and teachers in the Mildura electorate during the recent heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees.
“Take Mildura West Primary School, whose buildings are being held together by chipboard despite two masterplans being prepared. At Koorlong Primary School, in a bushfire-prone area, their shady trees have been removed, and no replacement shade has been provided, leaving students exposed to extreme heat. These are not isolated cases; they are the result of years of neglect and misplaced Labor priorities.
“Families expect schools to be safe, well-maintained, and fit for purpose, but once again, this government has failed to deliver.
“By signing the ‘Country Kids Count Too’ pledge at vic.nationals.org.au/countrykidscounttoo, Victorians can make their voices heard and push for the investment regional students deserve.
“Regional education must be supported with consistent, long-term funding. It’s time the government stops neglecting country students – our kids count too.”
