Monbulk MP James Merlino has blasted the budget cuts to education made by the state government. Mr Merlino believes parents are now beginning to bear the brunt of savage cuts made over the past two years by the government. "Local families have made it clear to me that they are struggling to deal with the $555 million ripped out of education." Mr Merlino said the cuts meant parents were missing out on assistance with uniforms, schoolbooks and excursions .