Tim Pallas

Wyndham’s tourism industry has been given a boost, with a $190,000 grant from the Victorian Government to Namaste Westside to develop innovative ways to encourage people to stay longer and experience the best of our region. Members for Wyndham, Tim Pallas, Mathew Hilakari and Dylan Wight today announced the grant under Stream B of the $3 million Visitor Servicing Fund. The grant will enable Namaste Westside to help deliver an integrated visitor service program focused on the India visitor market for Melbourne/Victoria and the local Indian diaspora of Melbourne’s west. At the core of the projects is the development of a customised visitor information platform catering to the unique cultural needs of the India market. The project will be driven by a high level of local Indian community engagement to inform the design and concept development, with a focus on integration of a cultural accreditation scheme. The project will be developed and delivered from September 2023 through to December 2024. The fund will help set our tourism industry up to connect with new technologies to improve how visitors can plan ahead and create the trip of a lifetime in regional Victoria. Stream A of the program has provided grants of up to $50,000 to nine Regional Tourism Boards and local councils, including Yarra Ranges Tourism, and Strathbogie Shire Council. It supports the development and coordination of new and better ways to access tourism information to get around our regions. Stream B of the program has provided grants of up to $625,000 to four Regional Tourism Boards, local councils and other tourism organisations to develop innovative tools and ideas so that visitors can easily book and plan visits, access information and connect with our state’s best tourism experiences. Projects include improving ways to make bookings and reservations, building online itineraries, creating digital visitor kiosks and enhancing wayfinding and storytelling at key visitation sites. The Visitor Servicing Fund was a commitment of the $633 million Visitor Economy Recovery Reform Plan and is key to delivering the new Experience Victoria 2033 strategic plan. For a full list of successful recipients of the Visitor Servicing Fund, visit tourism.vic.gov.au/visitorservicingfund. Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas “Congratulations Namaste Westside in securing this grant that will help connect visitors experience all that the Wyndham region has to offer.” “The fund will help connect visitors to Wyndham to attractions, local businesses and encouraging them to spend more and stay longer by providing high-quality, personalised and timely information about what to see and do around Victoria.” Quotes attributable to Member for Point Cook Mathew Hilakari “From the Ramsar recognised wetlands featuring bird life equivalent to Kakadu, to the beaches of Point Cook and Werribee South across to the Werribee Zoo, Mansion along the Red Cliffs of the Werribee River, our region is bursting with attractions for tourists both international and local.” Quotes attributable to Member for Tarneit Dylan Wight “Namaste Westside presents a great opportunity for us to celebrate the strong and vibrant Indian community in the West and enhance tourism in the region.”  

The Victorian Government is helping Werribee communities transform sports facilities, build change rooms and recreation infrastructure through a new round of infrastructure funding. Member for Werribee Tim Pallas announced that applications are open for the 2023-24 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund - backed by up to $5 million from the Victorian Budget 2023-24. The Fund helps communities plan and develop sport and recreation facilities through three funding streams by providing up to $300,000 for Community Facilities, up to $250,000 for Community Sports Lighting, and up to $40,000 for Planning. All Victorian councils are eligible to apply for funds towards a range of community sports infrastructure and active recreation developments including court lighting upgrades, skate parks, planning projects and more to benefit local clubs and communities. Projects in Werribee to receive grants from the 2022 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund include $1,000,000 towards Galvin Park Pavilion redevelopment with family friendly accessible toilets/showers, constructions of change rooms, storage, umpires’ rooms, lifts and a stairwell. The Victorian Budget 2023-24 is providing more than $213 million to deliver new and improved community sport infrastructure and support initiatives that boost participation and inclusion in local sports clubs and organisations. The Fund is part of the $1.9 billion invested by the government in community sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014. It also helps generate economic activity and hundreds of jobs for planners, architects, engineers, project managers, buildings, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, maintenance staff, facility managers and operational staff. Sourcing local materials will also enable many more Victorian businesses to thrive. Interested clubs are advised to contact their local council to help with the application process. For more information or to apply online visit sport.vic.gov.au   Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas “Sport and active recreation is the heart and soul of Werribee”. “With more and more women and girls signing up to play in Werribee we are getting on with upgrading infrastructure so clubs can keep up with soaring demand, while also making them accessible and more inclusive.” “I urge councils and sporting organisations to partner and apply for projects that will make a real difference to the lives of Victorians.”

Victoria’s outstanding teachers, principals and support staff in our local schools have been celebrated at the 2023 Victorian Education Excellence Awards (VEEA) – with Werribee Secondary College among the winners. The VEEA inspires teachers, principals, business managers and support staff in Government schools to help students to achieve their best. Congratulating the winners and finalists at The Plaza Ballroom in central Melbourne, Minister for Education Ben Carroll applauded the commitment and passion of teachers, leaders, and school staff across Victoria for their incredible work in helping make us the Education State. Werribee Secondary College won the Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning Award. Due to their work throughout 2022-23, the college engaged in extensive reflection, reassessing how to best create a learning environment that truly fosters global citizenship and intercultural learning. With students from over 50 nationalities and international students from 11 different countries, the college initiates multiple global citizen-focused learning opportunities, they are renewing their intercultural and global priorities through the lessons and language of every classroom. The Victorian Education Excellence Awards celebrate the inspirational teachers, principals, business managers, support staff working in Government schools to help students to achieve their best. This year’s awards were held on the day that Australia celebrates World Teachers’ Day. The awards support the continued professional development of staff, with professional learning grants of up to $25,000 for the winner in each category. For more information on the finalists and the winners, visit vic.gov.au/VEEA. Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Ben Carroll “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of this year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards – you do Victoria proud, and your big ideas inspire students across the state.” “These awards recognise the work that our amazing school workforce do to motivate and inspire students to pursue their dreams and passions and are a key part of what makes us the Education State.” Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas “Teachers, leaders and school staff in Werribee do tremendous work in setting local students up to thrive in their education and life – and these awards recognise and praise these educators for their outstanding contributions.”   Victorian Education Excellence Awards Winners 2023: Lindsay Thompson Excellence in Education: Balwyn High School Individual Awards: Outstanding Primary Principal: Clare Monk, Warrnambool West Primary School Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal: Kimberley Tempest, Cobram Secondary College Outstanding Primary Teacher: Ruth Chambers, Wonthaggi Primary School Outstanding Secondary Teacher: Elizabeth Ferguson, Pascoe Vale Girls College Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher: Kendall Heycox, Corryong College Outstanding Early Career Secondary Teacher: Alice Hu, Elevation Secondary College Outstanding Physical Education and Activity Teacher: Paul Baks, Belle Vue Park Primary School Outstanding Business Manager: Sharon Veale, Warringa Park School Team Award Winners: Outstanding School Improvement: Wangaratta West Primary School Outstanding Education Support Team: Mooroopna Park Primary School Outstanding Inclusive Education Team: Bentleigh West Primary School Outstanding Koorie Education Team: Swan Hill Specialist School Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students (Primary): Daylesford Primary School Outstanding Provision for High-Ability Students (Secondary): Balwyn High School Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning: Werribee Secondary College  

Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (09:39): I rise to acknowledge the passing of Gregory Leonard, a man who touched many people in the Wyndham community. Greg recently passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. I express my condolences to his family. Greg was a ministerial driver for the Department of Premier and Cabinet for over 35 years, and I had the privilege to have Greg drive me between 2006 and 2010. Not many can boast of serving three past premiers of Victoria – John Cain, Joan Kirner and Steve Bracks – and Greg was in the entourage of vehicles for President Bush in 1992. I have got really fond memories of Greg. Greg lived not only for his family but for his community. When driving through regional Victoria he always knew the best bakeries to go to and share a pastie or two.   After he retired Greg contributed much to his community in a volunteer capacity, which is a testament to his great character. He was a justice of the peace for 18 years and assisted Indigenous communities, people with disability and young people learning to drive, and he served on various committees. The loss of Greg will be deeply felt across many organisations and community groups. On behalf of Wyndham, I express my thanks to Greg for his relentless contribution, his service, his kindness, his sense of humour and for giving so much of his time to help others. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies on this passing of a truly decent man to his wife Kerri, daughter Adele, mother Heather and father John.

Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (14:20): I am pleased to talk about the enormous opportunities that growth in the Victorian economy is presenting for all Victorians. This is being led by the state’s investment in the state-owned SEC – and a big shout-out to the Minister for Energy and Resources, who is doing a fantastic job of securing our zero-emissions future. Going back to the SEC means that we will be investing in renewables, and in so doing we will be creating lasting value for current and future generations. As well as helping achieve Victoria’s nation-leading renewable energy target, the new SEC will support the creation of 59,000 jobs. It will increase gross state product by $9.5 billion through the energy transition. We know that those opposite are scared of renewables, except maybe the members for Bulleen and Malvern. But we also know that it is fitting that we tell them on Halloween that this government’s investment in growth industries like renewables is not going to stop – not a ghost of a chance. Just this week Victoria has been recognised as the economic powerhouse of the nation. He has been doing it all day, Speaker. Just this week Victoria was recognised as the economic powerhouse of the nation in the CommSec State of the States report. As the report says, strong economic activity, solid retail spending and business investment have seen Victoria again recognised as the engine room of the national economy. Victoria was ranked first on relative economic growth and construction work. In the past three years we have created more jobs than New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania combined.

A new report highlights the critical role of trade and investment in driving economic growth and creating jobs, as billions of dollars from foreign direct investment flows through to Victoria’s economy. The Connecting Victoria to the World report showcases the Allan Labor Government’s achievements in supporting local exporters to succeed on the global stage and strengthen Victoria’s position as a top investment destination. Victoria’s success in investment attraction is backed by data from global investment consultantfDi Markets, which shows Victoria attracted $4.3 billion in overseas investment in 2022-23. The data shows that Victoria is the leading Australian investment destination for advanced manufacturing projects, attracting $588 million in foreign direct investment last financial year and the highest reported Agrifood investment of $202 million. More than 2,500 new jobs were created out of 43 new international investments secured by the Labor Government in 2022-23. Out of these new investments, 29 were first-time investors in the state while the balance expanded their existing presence in Victoria. This includes some of the top companies in the world, such as Microsoft, which was supported by Invest Victoria to identify and secure sites to enable the expansion of its Azure Availability Zone in Melbourne, creating 300 new full-time roles. In 2022-23, the Government supported Victorian exporters to generate more than $700 million in export sales, led 48 trade missions to strengthen export opportunities across a range of industries and helped more than 640 companies to trade in global markets. International education is the state’s highest value services export, generating $8.4 billion in revenue last year and supporting more than 40,000 jobs across the state. Melbourne was ranked the best international student city in Australia this year in the QS Best Student City index, shining a spotlight on Victoria’s unmatched educational opportunities, affordability and cultural diversity. To maintain Victoria’s position as a valued global trading partner and key investment destination, the 2023-24 Victorian Budget committed $20 million to the International Investment Attraction Fund and $12 million to the Boosting Victorian Exports program. Quotes attributable to Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas “By actively pursuing trade and investment opportunities it shows the world that Victoria is a great place to do business – and that creates jobs.”  “We’ll keep moving forward and supporting Victorian businesses and workers because it keeps communities strong and the state growing.” Quote attributable to Global Victoria and Invest Victoria CEO Danni Jarrett  “Our strong relationships across industry and global networks continue to support Victorian businesses and attract global investors to our state.”

Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (09:39): I rise to update the house on the recently completed Wyndham early parenting centre in my electorate. With doors opening later this month, the centre is set to become a support hub for new parents living in the west. As Wyndham is one of the fastest growing LGAs in the state, with 110 babies born each week, it is so important that parents have access to specialised support close to home. The centre is equipped to assist parents to build their parenting skills – from newborns to toddlers. Tweddle Child and Family Health Service has supported young families in the inner west for over 100 years. I am proud that our government has expanded the services closer to home for residents in the rapidly growing outer west. From helping with sleep, settling, feeding and bonding, the centre helps build better parent-child relationships and ensures all children are meeting their developmental milestones. The Allan Labor government is committed to improving the lives of our youngest constituents and their parents. The Wyndham early parenting centre will help parents as they adjust to parenthood, helping to reduce postnatal depression, isolation and stress. This is only the first of 12 new and upgraded early parenting centres moving to the state. From the 2023–24 budget we saw $148 million invested in expanding our early parenting services network. We want the best start for all Victorians, and as the member for Werribee I am excited to see the benefits the Wyndham early parenting centre will have for children and parents locally.

Fourteen Victorian businesses have taken centre stage for championing homegrown products and services on a global stage at the 44th Governor of Victoria Export Awards (GOVEAs). Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas joined award patron, Governor of Victoria, Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC to celebrate the winners who represent key industries including agribusiness, food and beverages, resources and energy, manufacturing, advanced materials, sustainability and professional services. Victorian renewable energy solutions company, Sunpower Renewables – which manufactures state-of-the-art, simple to use and lightweight portable lithium solar generators – won the sustainability and green economy award and was named Victorian Exporter of the Year. Sunpower Renewables exports its innovative products to a diverse range of markets including the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, South Africa, Kenya, North America, Canada, the UK, France and Spain. HealthGuard chief executive Victoria Harvey received the Global Victoria Women’s Award for her leadership and efforts that have created new opportunities and enhanced the biotech solutions company’s brand in key markets such as Europe, the United States and Asia. Seizing an opportunity amidst the pandemic, she collaborated with Melbourne University and the Peter Doherty Institute of Immunity and Infection to conduct testing on textile treatments against the live human strain of SARS-CoV-2, yielding outstanding results that were globally recognised. Pacific Sea Urchin Australia won the award for agribusiness, food and beverages, Global Indigenous Management for creative industries, Lash Therapy Australia for e-commerce and Melbourne Polytechnic for international education and training, while Booby Tape International was named top emerging exporter. Other winners were SDI Limited (international health), AW Bell (manufacturing and advanced materials), Duratray International (resources and energy), INCITIAS (professional services), Care Essentials (regional), Molecule2Market (small business), Sunpower Renewables (sustainability/green economy) and Chemwatch (advanced technologies). Exports play a critical role in Victoria’s economic prosperity and growth by contributing more than $53 billion in annual earnings and helping to support more than 330,000 jobs ranging from food and agribusiness to technology, health and international education. For more details visit global.vic.gov.au/govea. Quotes attributable to Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas “Our GOVEA winners supply products and services of the highest quality to all corners of the globe – and they are part of an export network that underpins thousands of Victorian jobs.” “Victoria’s natural innovation bent is complemented by a thriving research and development sector. The results are world-beating companies that do us all proud.”

Mr Xavier Rimmer has been appointed as Victoria’s Parliamentary Budget Officer. The Victorian Parliament’s multi-party Public Accounts and Estimates Committee recommended Mr Rimmer’s appointment for a five-year term. Mr Rimmer joined the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) as Director of Policy Analysis and Advice in 2018 – he has been the Acting Parliamentary Budget Officer since April 2023. Previously he was an Assistant Director of the Australian Parliamentary Budget Office and worked at the Commonwealth Department of Treasury. The Labor Government established the PBO in 2018 under the Parliamentary Budget Office Act (2017) as an important addition to Victoria’s parliamentary system. The PBO is an independent organisation staffed by researchers and economists that provides accessible policy costings to political parties and MPs. Prior to the establishment of the PBO, only the Government could access public sector advice for costing a policy. The PBO enables all MPs to request these services. Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas “The Parliamentary Budget Office is an important feature of our democracy – it means all parties and Members of Parliament have the capacity to commission independent research.” “Parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee recommended Mr Rimmer’s appointment and this was accepted by the Government. I wish him all the best in the position.”  “The appointment process underlines the independent nature of the role of the PBO.”            

The Allan Labor Government is supporting the growth of women’s participation in trades and tech, encouraging teenagers to pursue dedicated education streams to build a career in the burgeoning sectors. Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas today visited the Northern College of the Arts & Technology (NCAT) in Preston as the college launched its Code of Respectful Conduct, part of the Bring it On! Young Women in Trades and Tech project. The Labor Government provided NCAT with $70,000 to run the project, which raises awareness of opportunities for young women to study trade and technology subjects. NCAT is a senior secondary government school created for students to complete a Year 10, VCE or VCE Vocational Major and go on to tertiary courses, apprenticeships or employment in the visual and performing arts, design, multimedia and photography – and increasingly, trades and technology. Since 2021, NCAT has been actively recruiting young women to study trade and technology. That year, young women comprised 2 per cent of students. That had increased to 7 per cent last year and this year it doubled to 14 per cent. The increase is also reflected in the construction industry, with women now making up almost 14 per cent of the total workforce. However, the gender split is not even across occupational groups. Women make up 30 per cent of professional roles, while they occupy 3.5 per cent of trade and technician roles. This still remains more than twice the historical average of 1.5 per cent. The Code of Respectful Conduct – a commitment to lead and advocate for cultural change in the workplace – was signed by representatives from Hutchison Builders, the CFMEU, QA Electrical, New Plumbing Solutions, Civil Infrastructure Group, A&A Cabinet Impressions, Melbourne Polytechnic and Northern Workwear and Safety. Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas “We’re working to provide opportunity for young women and gender-diverse young people to build careers in construction – it’s fantastic to see Year 10 students setting out on this path.” “Education and training are vital, and so are attitudes in the workplace. Every workplace conversation, policy or action can reinforce or challenge the beliefs and norms that drive inequity.”  Quote attributable to Minister for Education Ben Carroll “NCAT is an outstanding school that constantly looks for new ways to break down barriers and entrenched ways of thinking about education and careers. We’ll keep backing schools that produce amazing results for their students.” Quote attributable to Member for Preston Nathan Lambert “The team at NCAT do a fantastic job, led by legendary principal Raffaela Galati-Brown. Congratulations to the students, staff and industry partners involved in the Bring it On! program.”  Quotes attributable to NCAT Year 10 Technology Cert II Building and Construction student Cin Hughes “I helped out Dad doing renovations and really did not like the straight academic environment. I wanted something more practical that could lead me to a job.”  “The Bring It On! project is great. We can have discussions about how we can encourage other young women to think about studies and careers in trades and technology. Our ideas are taken seriously.” Quote attributable to NCAT Year 10 Technology Cert II Building and Construction student Isabella Mavrogiannis  “I always enjoyed working with my hands and doing woodwork at my old school and my Dad is a carpenter. My teacher said I should do carpentry, so I came to NCAT.”

The Victorian economy is growing strongly and providing jobs for workers with more than 130,000 Victorians joining the workforce over the past 12 months – the best performance in the country. The state's 2022-23 Annual Financial Report published today reveals the resilience of the Victorian economy despite global factors including high inflation and rising interest rates. State final demand – a key measure of the economy that combines public and private investment and spending – grew by 4 per cent, to be more than 11 per cent higher than in 2018-19. This growth was driven by consumer spending, which rose by nearly 7 per cent, and business investment, which rose by 8 per cent. A strong economy has driven a very strong labour market. Victoria now has the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.5 per cent and employment levels are around an all-time high at 3.65 million. In regional Victoria the unemployment rate is 2.7 per cent – close to the lowest rate on record. The Victorian economy has created more than 500,000 jobs since September 2020, meaning the Allan Labor Government achieved its ambitious Jobs Plan target of 400,000 new jobs more than two years early. A growing population helps to build the economy and Victoria’s population growth is above pre-pandemic rates. Victoria’s population rose by 2.4 per cent or more than 160,000 people over the year to March 2023 – the biggest increase in absolute terms of all the states – taking our population to 6.8 million people. The Annual Financial Report shows that the net operating cash surplus was $4.3 billion, a $13.1 billion improvement on the deficit from the previous year, confirming that the Labor Government achieved step two of the four-step fiscal plan unveiled during the pandemic to enable a sustained recovery. The 2022-23 operating result was an improvement of $1.5 billion compared with the revised estimate in the 2023-24 Budget. Total general government sector expenses reduced to $93.6 billion in 2022-23, a decrease of $3.2 billion compared with the previous year, reflecting the unwinding of COVID-19 support payments. Net debt is $3.5 billion lower than the target in the 2022-23 Budget, and $17.8 billion below the forecast in the 2020-21 Budget, at $115 billion. Net debt has been lower than forecast at each budget since the onset of the pandemic. Government investment in infrastructure has increased from $4.6 billion in 2014-15 to $21.8 billion for 2022-23 to support Victoria’s rising population, with new housing, transport, education and health projects on the way. Government-backed infrastructure projects have kick-started careers for thousands of workers and the creation of Free TAFE has produced a pipeline of skilled workers. Victoria’s economic outlook is positive, with Deloitte Access Economics forecasting Victoria’s economy will grow faster than any other state over the next two years. Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas “Our economy is strong, jobs are at near-record highs and our fiscal plan is on track.” “We’ll continue to invest in the future of Victorians, creating the homes, schools, hospitals and transport options that they deserve.”

TIM PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (09:40): I rise to celebrate the recent official opening of the new off-leash dog park on Levittown Rise in my electorate of Werribee. The new park is part of the government’s $5 million investment to deliver 14 new off-leash dog parks across the state. Recently I took the chance to drop by the park to make some furry friends. It is good to see so many locals, both two-legged and four, checking out the new park. It is already clearly a favourite place for many in Werribee. A dog park is not just a place for our furry friends to run and play, it is a place where neighbours can meet, forge new friendships and strengthen the bonds of our community. Studies have shown that dog parks promote social inclusion, physical activity and mental wellbeing for both dogs and their owners. The park is made up of two fenced areas, one for the many friendly pups to play with each other and another for less social dogs, and has everything you need, with plenty of seating and water fountains for both humans and dogs. I thank Minister Stitt in the other place for her commitment to providing dog-friendly parks across the state. My own dog Max cannot wait to go and spend some time there, as we take full advantage of the parks, both off-leash and on-leash, throughout Melbourne’s west, not to mention our growing pathways. Life is better with a walk with a furry friend.

More unoccupied Victorian properties will be put up for rent and vacant land developed to build new homes – boosting housing supply and affordability across Victoria. Legislation to be introduced to the Victorian Parliament this week will provide a financial incentive for owners to rent out empty homes or develop long-term vacant land – providing more homes and more options for Victorians during the critical housing crisis. The changes will extend the Vacant Residential Land Tax (VRLT) – currently applied to empty residential properties in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs for more than six months – to unoccupied residential properties across the entire state. The move will encourage owners of unoccupied homes in Melbourne’s outer suburbs and regional Victoria to make these dwellings available for rent or sale – working to ease the housing pressures being felt right across the country. It will have a flow-on effect to the rental market by boosting housing stock and helping to ease pressure on rents and prices – providing Victorians with more choice when it comes to where they want to live. The period that properties can be deemed vacant will start on 1 January 2024, with the change commencing in 2025. Existing exemptions will continue to apply statewide, including to holiday homes, properties recently acquired or regularly occupied for work purposes, and properties being built or renovated. Changes will also apply to residential land that has been undeveloped for more than five years in established areas of Melbourne, to discourage long-term land banking and encourage new housing developments. This change will close a loophole where VRLT did not apply to unimproved land, enabling this land to slip through the cracks, despite being appropriate for residential development. From 1 January 2026, residential land undeveloped for more than five years in established areas of Melbourne will become liable, applying to an estimated 3,000 undeveloped properties. The proposed legislation will prohibit unfair apportioning of land tax and windfall gains tax burdens to purchasers through property transfers and will also make total purchase costs more transparent. Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas “Nothing is more important than finding a place to call home, that you can afford, close to the work, services or community you rely on.” “We know the best thing you can do to make homes more affordable is supply more of them – this is all about freeing up empty houses for rent and vacant land for new homes, particularly across the outer suburbs and regional Victoria.”

The Andrews Labor Government has delivered 31 new off-leash dog parks across Melbourne and regional Victoria, creating more space for our four-legged friends to run and play. Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt officially opened Levittown Rise dog park in Werribee today - the final dog park to be completed as part of the $315 million Suburban Parks Program. Levittown Rise dog park now boasts two fenced areas with open lawns and play zones, trees, seating, and drinking fountains. Thirty-one dog parks have been completed across Victoria, in suburbs stretching from Werribee to Pakenham and as far as Mildura and Portland. The purpose-built parks include designated ball play areas, fencing, agility equipment, seating and drinking fountains. These dog parks have been delivered in partnership with local councils, who received up to $275,000 from the Government to ensure the new facilities were purpose-built to meet each community’s needs. The Labor Government will continue to build 28 new and upgraded dog parks across the state, thanks to an additional $13.4 million investment allocated in the Victorian Budget 2023/24. Dog-friendly spaces will be created in Wantirna, Endeavour Hills, Mount Waverley, Sydenham, Wollert and the Armstrong Creek growth corridor. For more information on the dog parks delivered, please visit environment.vic.gov.au/suburban-parks. Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt “We promised to create dog parks for families and their pets to enjoy – and we’ve delivered.” “We know the community really values green open space and we’re excited for locals to enjoy the time outdoors with their dogs.” Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas “More dog parks across Victoria will mean more open spaces for families and their pets to exercise, play and enjoy, closer to home.”

The Andrews Labor Government today released its landmark package to boost housing supply and affordability in Victoria – representing the biggest shake-up to planning and housing reform in generations. Victoria is growing. We’re the fastest growing state in Australia, with our population set to hit 10.3 million by 2051. To ease the housing pressure Victorians are facing, we need to build 2.24 million homes in that time, including a target of 425,600 across regional and rural Victoria. Victoria’s Housing Statement – The Decade Ahead 2024-2034 also sets a bold target to build 800,000 new homes — 80,000 a year — across the state over the next 10 years, delivered through an Affordability Partnership with the housing industry. The Housing Statement focuses on five key areas to tackle the root of the problem – housing supply: Good decisions, made faster: reforming Victoria’s planning system, clearing the backlog of planning permits, giving builders, buyers and renovators certainty about how long approvals will take – and a clear pathway to resolve issues quickly if those timeframes aren’t met Cheaper housing, closer to where you work: unlocking new spaces to stop urban sprawl, building more homes closer to where people have the transport, roads, hospitals and schools they need and delivering vital, basic community infrastructure Protecting renters’ rights: closing loopholes that drive up the cost of living for renters, giving tenants more certainty over their leases, living standards and finances, and resolving disputes faster to keep them out of VCAT More social housing: rapidly accelerating the rollout of social and affordable homes across Victoria and launching Australia’s biggest urban renewal project across Melbourne’s 44 high-rise social housing towers A long-term housing plan: delivering a long-term plan to guide how our state grows in the decades ahead, and reviewing the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to build a planning system that works with Victorians – not against them. In recognition of the joint effort needed to ease the housing pressure Victorians face, the Labor Government today signed the Affordability Partnership alongside the Property Council of Australia, Master Builders Victoria, the Urban Development Institute of Australia, the Housing Industry Association and Super Housing Partnerships. As part of the Partnership, the Government will foster the conditions needed to stimulate investment and build high-quality homes faster in the places where Victorians want to live – and the industry will build more housing for the Victorians who need it most. At the same time, we’ll give certainty to the sector and Victorians alike by building the infrastructure our growing state needs – and continuing to invest in training for the skills our economy needs, too. The work being facilitated as part of this Housing Statement will support 16,000 jobs across Victoria. For more information, visit: www.vic.gov.au/housing-statement Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews “The status quo is not an option, and admiring the problem will only make it worse. Unless we take bold and decisive action now, Victorians will be paying the price for generations to come.” “Whether you’re buying your first place, upsizing or downsizing as life changes, or renting – the work we’re doing will mean there’ll be a place you can afford, and that you can call home.” Quote attributable to Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan “Unlocking the potential in and around our major transport projects in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs is a key focus of our Housing Statement which will deliver more homes, more jobs and better-connected services.” Quote attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas “This Housing Statement forms the first step of our work with industry to build the homes Victorians need for the decades ahead – not the last – and we’ll keep working with the sector and local communities alike to get on with it.”  Quote attributable to Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny “We’ll boost housing supply, make sure good decisions are made faster and give industry greater certainty with a planning system that works for Victorians – not against them.”  Quote attributable to Minister for Housing Colin Brooks “We know that having a home provides a solid foundation enabling people to hold down jobs, access education and raise a family – and that’s what we’re delivering.” Quote attributable to Minister for Consumer Affairs Danny Pearson “More people are renting than ever before – so we’re closing loopholes, giving renters more certainty and security over their leases and ensuring tenancy disputes are resolved faster.” 

The Andrews Labor Government is backing international students and the ongoing strength of the economy, hosting the first-ever Careers Fair targeted at international students in Melbourne. Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas today visited the Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair, co-organised with SEEK – a dedicated event to connect students and graduates with employers. More than 30 exhibitors attended the Careers Fair including Swisse, SEEK and Bupa, as well as the Commonwealth Government which assisted with questions relating to visas. Last year’s launch of the International Education Recovery Plan 2025 outlined the Labor Government’s vision for the sector’s growth. A key pillar of the plan is providing meaningful post-study work opportunities for international students and graduates and to nurture talent. The Government is also delivering for international students by promoting the Commitment to Action to Improve Employment Outcomes for International Students, along with a tailored search function on SEEK to land professional graduate roles in their field of study. Under the Commitment to Action, employers publicly pledge to employing more international students, offering more work experience opportunities, setting employment targets, removing barriers to employability and sharing success stories. To date 25 employers have signed on to the Commitment to Action including, Swisse, Indonesian tech unicorn Bukalapak, e-Centric, The Lyon Group and Marriot International. When searching for graduate opportunities on SEEK, international students can use the hashtag #MelbourneStudentCareers to receive job listings that match their field of study from participating employers.  The participating organisations understand the value of employing international student graduates, such as deepening their talent pool and developing an internationally focused and culturally diverse workforce. As well as enriching Victoria’s diversity and vibrancy and supporting more inclusive communities, international students are studying in areas that closely align with priority industry sectors experiencing critical workforce shortages, including infrastructure, clean economy and medical and allied health.   Melbourne is officially Australia’s best student city and has been since 2015. There are more than 140,000 student visa holders currently in Victoria and international education is Victoria’s largest services export, supporting more than 40,000 jobs. To learn more, visit studymelbourne.vic.gov.au. Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas “We want to offer international students the best employment prospects after their studies – and we’re working with industry and the international education sector to deliver just that.” “Victoria’s unemployment rate is historically very low and businesses are eager to snap up in-demand skills, particularly in areas like engineering, tech and health.” “Having completed their studies in Melbourne at some of the world’s top universities, international students have a lot to offer to local employers.”