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Promises flow as Victoria election nears

Victorian Labor is promising cash to improve dental care for students while the Liberal opposition is vowing to tackle crime, as the election edges nearer.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews with kids brushing their teeth
Daniel Andrews says a re-elected Labor Government would bring back free dental vans. (AAP)

With just six days to go until the Victorian state election the major parties are in non-stop pledge-mode, as they bid to win votes in key seats.

Premier Daniel Andrews visited Clyde in Melbourne's outer southeast on Sunday, promising to bring back free dental van to public schools if re-elected on Saturday.

A total of 250 dental vans would visit schools around the state and the $395.8 million initiative could save families up to $400 per child each year, he said.

"This will be the biggest of its kind in Australia," Mr Andrews told reporters.

"It costs you a lot more in the long run if you don't make these investments."

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Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy accused Victorian Labor of losing control of crime, as he announced a military-style bootcamp for teen criminals and funding for a campaign against street violence.

"Daniel Andrews may have turned his back on victims of crime, but a government I lead will put them first," Mr Guy said.

Under Liberal plans, Children's Court magistrates would have the power to send nonviolent teenagers to a 12-week camp instead of youth jail.

"This is a way to do things differently, this is about rebooting a teenager's life and getting them off crime," Mr Guy told reporters in Viewbank.

The Greens also announced their "We love trams" plan on Sunday.

It includes $700 million to new tram routes over the next eight years and put in a place a long term plan to bring trams to suburbs such as Williamstown, Sunshine, West Melbourne, Brighton, Black Rock, Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Chadstone, Bentleigh and Ormond.

A total of 542,601 people have already cast their vote and the Victorian Electoral Commission expects this figure will rise to about two million - half of all eligible voters - before election day on Saturday.

Labor currently hold 46 out of 88 seats, the Coalition 37, while the Greens have three seats, and there are two independents.

Mr Andrews and Mr Guy will face off in a "people's forum" on Wednesday, televised by Sky News.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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