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Responsible Gambling Awareness Week reminds Victorians help is available

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:29:54 +10:00

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is on again, highlighting the challenges, and assistance available in helping Victorians to enjoy gambling responsibly.

Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation Edward O’Donohue launched Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2013 at the Sofitel today, and also introduced the newly-developed Responsible Gambling Guide.

“The Victorian Coalition Government views gambling as a significant social and economic issue and aims to promote a responsible, sustainable and transparent gambling industry,” Mr O’Donohue said.

“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is about raising awareness of the importance of a responsible approach to gambling at a personal, venue and community level.”

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week has been held in Victoria since 2006.
It is run by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, in partnership with the gaming industry, community groups and local government.

The new Responsible Gambling Guide is a booklet that tackles some of the myths and realities of gambling in Victoria, while outlining what problem gambling is, and the help that is available.

CEO of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Serge Sardo said the guide was developed by the foundation with input from a number of leading gambling researchers, some of whom were at the launch to share key insights from their work in the area.

“The Foundation and the Coalition Government recognise the importance of a strong evidence base to develop effective policies to address problem gambling,” Mr Sardo said.

The Coalition Government has committed $150 million over four years to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. The funding is 41 per cent higher the previous Labor Government provided. It is the highest level of such funding in Australia, and is thought to be the highest, per capita, for comparable jurisdictions around the world.

“As Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation, I recognise the impact that problem gambling can have on people’s lives and on the community, and the importance of educating the community about how to gamble responsibly,” Mr O’Donohue said.

As part of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, events are being held across Victoria. Information is available at www.rgaw.com.au.

Victorians heed the message: Cameras save lives

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:29:01 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government’s road safety camera campaign is helping Victorians understand the benefits of cameras in improving safety and reducing road trauma.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells said an evaluation of the initial stages of the See the Bigger Picture: Cameras Save Lives campaign had shown positive results.

“Approximately one in four Victorian drivers have been exposed to the campaign message that cameras save lives,” Mr Wells said.

The campaign television advertisements will begin again this week until June 30.

See the Bigger Picture: Cameras Save Lives campaign was launched in November last year, after filming in Warrnambool, and featured locals who had experienced the tragedy of road trauma or been closely connected to it.

The Coalition Government invested in the campaign after the Auditor-General’s Report, Road Safety Camera Program August 2011, raised concern about the public’s misconception that cameras were a revenue tool, not a road safety initiative.

The Auditor-General noted:

Despite clear evidence to the contrary, there is ongoing public concern that the program is revenue-raising, inaccurate or not soundly grounded in improving road safety outcomes.

The Auditor-General highlighted:

Road safety cameras improve road safety and reduce road trauma, and their ongoing use as an enforcement tool remains appropriate;

Any program that aims to deter dangerous and risky behaviour through the use of fines will generate revenue, but this is demonstrably not the primary purpose of the road safety camera program; and

An extensive body of research and evaluations both throughout Australia and overseas have demonstrated that road safety cameras result in improved road safety outcomes including lower speeds and reductions in fatalities and serious injuries from crashes.

The Auditor-General recommended: the Department of Justice expedite the implementation of its communication strategy and address misconceptions about the (road safety cameras) program.

Mr Wells said the television, radio and online advertisements highlighted the personal impact of road trauma and showed that cameras played a significant part in making our roads safer.

“Speed cameras are a proven deterrent to those people who might otherwise drive in a manner that is dangerous not just to themselves and their families, but also to other road users,” Mr Wells said.

Department of Justice figures show that more than 99 per cent of vehicles passing fixed cameras and more than 98 per cent of vehicles passing mobile cameras comply with the speed limit.

“A total of 282 people died on Victoria’s roads in 2012. This represents Victoria's lowest annual road toll since monthly records began in 1952,” Mr Wells said.

“While reducing road toll is pleasing, there is more work to do, and one life lost on our roads is always one too many.

“The Coalition Government has released a 10-year Road Safety Strategy to further reduce deaths and injuries on our roads.

“Through this strategy we hope to achieve more than 30 per cent reduction in road deaths and injuries over the next decade through a combination of road safety cameras, education, advances in technology and road infrastructure upgrades working to reduce the road toll.

“Fines from road safety cameras totaled just over $259 million in the 2011-12 financial year which is a small amount when compared to the $3 billion that road trauma costs Victoria each year.”

“All revenue from speed cameras funds road safety initiatives through the VicRoads Better Roads Trust fund.

“The campaign is helping to remind Victorian drivers that road safety cameras are in place to make people slow down, reduce accidents and help reduce the road toll,” Mr Wells said.

For more information: www.camerassavelives.vic.gov.au

Delahunty Announces $15,000 for 2013 Australian Snooker & Billiards Championships

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:27:59 +10:00

Yesterday, the nation’s top snooker players chalked up the championship points for the final day of the City of Melbourne Snooker Championship at the RACV Club in Melbourne.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty joined representatives from the Victorian Billiards and Snooker Association to present the Championship trophy to Steve Mifsud.

Mr Delahunty also announced a $15,000 Coalition Government funding package from the Significant Sporting Events Program to support the 2013 Australian National and Open Billiards

Championships and the 2013 Australian National Snooker Championships.

“Sporting events like these attract large numbers of visitors to our State, provide a stimulus for the local economy and boost sports participation at the local level,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Over the last three days, 96 of Australia’s top up-and-coming snooker champions have been showcasing their talents across six premier venues including the Brunswick Club, Yarraville Club,

Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, AK8 Billiards in Melbourne, Kings Entertainment Complex in Dingley and the RACV Club in Melbourne’s own version of ‘Pot Black’.

“Congratulations to Steve Mifsud for topping a great field and also to runner up Shaun Dalitz for winning a wildcard entry at the world-ranking Australian Goldfields Open in Bendigo next month,” Minister Delahunty said.

“The Australian Goldfields Open is part of the prestigious World Snooker Tour and to reach the main draw is every snooker player’s dream.

“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to play alongside some of the world’s best snooker players, including Victorian Neil Robertson.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to support events like the City of Melbourne Snooker Championships as they provide the perfect platform for aspiring local champions to rack up valuable competition experience and launch their sporting careers on to the world stage.

Mr Delahunty also congratulated event organisers Victorian Billiards and Snooker Association and the City of Melbourne, and encouraged snooker fans to secure their tickets for the upcoming Australian Goldfields Open in Bendigo from 8-14 July.

PSOs deployed to Mitcham, Pakenham and Altona

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:26:44 +10:00

More of Melbourne’s commuters will be safer every night of the week with the deployment of Protective Services Officers (PSOs) to a further three railway stations – Mitcham, Pakenham and Altona.

Visiting new PSOs at Mitcham Railway station today with Member for Mitcham Dee Ryall, Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells said the latest deployment means there are now 362 PSOs patrolling 50 railway stations across the network from 6pm until after the last train every night.

“PSOs are reducing crime at our rail stations and making people feel safer using public transport, so it’s satisfying to see three busy rail stations – Mitcham, Pakenham and Altona – now added to the list of PSO deployments across the rail network,” Mr Wells said.

The PSOs will commence work at the three stations at 6pm on Tuesday 21 May 2013.

In the first 10 months that PSOs were deployed, they contributed to almost 1,400 arrests.

More than 500 people have been apprehended with outstanding warrants, more than 700 for drunkenness and64 who were breaching their bail conditions.

Mr Wells said commuters and small businesses had said very clearly that there had been a change in community perceptions of safety at rail stations since PSOs were deployed.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to make our railway network safer and PSOs are working to calm threatening situations and neutralise conflict,” Mr Wells said.

Mr Wells said the Victoria Police PSO recruitment campaign ‘Are you ready to stand out?’ had delivered excellent results.

More than 2,600 people have attended PSO information sessions and more than 1,300 people have applied to become a PSO since the launch of the campaign in January. Anybody who is considering a career as a PSO is encouraged to visit the Victoria Police website and register for an information session.

Mr Wells said the Victorian Coalition Government had committed to recruiting and deploying 940 PSOs to the rail network, as part of a $212 million investment, by November 2014.

In the 2013-14 Victorian Budget, the Coalition Government allocated a further $78 million to upgrade remaining rail stations to support the continued roll-out of PSOs.

“We are ensuring that rail stations across the network are protected from criminal activity and threatening behaviour every night from 6pm until after the last train,” Mr Wells said.

“As well as 940 PSOs, an additional 1,700 frontline police officers will be recruited by November 2014, which represents the largest single law enforcement recruitment exercise in Victoria’s history”.

Mrs Ryall welcomed the new PSO recruits to Mitcham Railway Station and said she was proud of the Coalition Government’s unprecedented investment in law and order.

“Protective Service Officers will make a valuable contribution to enhancing safety across the Mitcham community,” Mrs Ryall said.

CCCU to target work site conduct under revised construction guidelines

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:21:53 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government has given terms of reference to the Construction Code Compliance Unit (CCCU) to undertake a detailed investigation and report on the current state of compliance with the law and applicable codes of practice in the Victorian building and construction industry.

These terms of reference add to the work already being undertaken by the CCCU at the Premier's request to provide an urgent report on matters relating to the Grocon blockades.

The terms of reference require the CCCU to provide an urgent interim report on matters including:

conduct at the recent blockades of Grocon construction sites, including conduct that may be unlawful and/or a breach of the Government's construction industry guidelines;
the use of violence, intimidation or harassment within the industry;
the obligations of other employers whose workers took part in the Grocon blockades;
breaches of industrial and other laws that may have occurred during the Grocon blockades;
the effectiveness of current Commonwealth regulation of the building industry, including whether action could be taken by the Commonwealth in relation to the Grocon blockades
recommendations for immediate actions to strengthen compliance with the law and the guidelines.

The CCCU has also been directed to provide a further detailed report, covering:

practices that create a tolerance of unlawful conduct;
other conduct and practices in breach of the guidelines;
possible involvement of organised crime elements within the industry;
the current state of compliance with legal obligations within the industry in comparison with historic compliance levels;
the impact of recent changes to the Guidelines to the National Code and the abolition of the Office of the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC); and
recommendations for future actions to enhance compliance with the law and the guidelines.

The Victorian Government's guidelines, which came into operation on 1 July 2012, require all building companies that tender for Victorian Government work to commit to comply with all applicable legal obligations and to act to ensure that inappropriate or unlawful practices do not occur on their projects.

Minister for Finance Robert Clark said that productive and law-abiding building and construction sites are vital for jobs and investment in Victoria.

"If Victoria does not have an efficient and law-abiding building industry our State will simply not be able to afford to build the infrastructure we need.

"Recent events have demonstrated that certain elements of the industry appear to consider themselves above the law. The Coalition Government is determined to ensure that all participants in the building industry abide by the rule of law and the same standards of behaviour that apply to everyone else.

"Unlawful blockades, intimidation and harassment should have no place in any Victorian workplace," Mr Clark said.

The CCCU is to provide its interim report by 15 October this year, and its final report by 31 March next year.

New trial bus service between Deans Marsh, Birregurra and Colac begins today

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:20:07 +10:00

The Deans Marsh to Colac school bus will open its spare seats to student and senior concession card holders, on a trial basis from today, announced Minister for Public Transport and Member for Polwarth Terry Mulder.

Mr Mulder said the initiative – operating on school days only – would improve transport options for Deans Marsh and Birregurra residents wanting to connect to the major town of Colac.

“This is excellent news for Deans Marsh and Birregurra residents. It’s a great way for people without a car to have other transport options,” Mr Mulder said.

“Initially, the pilot will run until the end of the school year, to test the success of the initiative.

“We have worked closely with the local schools and bus operator to develop this trial, so that approximately fifteen spare seats can be opened up to the public. However, eligible school students will continue to get priority access to the bus service.”

As part of the trial, separate seating will be allocated for students and fare-paying members of the public.

These passengers will be required to show their concession card to board the bus.

A $1.10 one-way or $2 return concession fare will apply, and passengers will be able to use their ticket on Colac town bus services.

Mr Mulder said this service would help residents attend the business or adult education centres, visit family and friends and connect with other public transport services in Colac.

“I’d like to invite parents, students and the wider community to provide their feedback on the trial to help assess its success,” Mr Mulder said.

Feedback can be sent to Public Transport Victoria by emailing schoolbus@ptv.vic.gov.au This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 1800 800 007.

“A similar trial has been operating since February between Winchelsea and Colac. This is another example of how we are working with communities across the state to provide more transport options that meet the needs of local people,’ Mr Mulder said.

The bus will operate on school days only and run to the following timetable:

Weekday mornings

Birregurra-Deans Marsh Rd, Deans Marsh 7.50am
General Store, Birregurra 8.02am
Dennis St, Colac 8.21am
Colac Secondary College 8.26am

Weekday afternoons

Colac Secondary College 3.45pm
Dennis St, Colac 3.50pm
General Store, Birregurra 4.05pm
Birregurra-Deans Marsh Rd, Deans Marsh 4.15pm

New home for early learning in Marong

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:34:49 +10:00

Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell today officially opened the new Marong Early Learning Centre, which has been established on the Marong Primary School site.

The Victorian Government invested $810,000 in the centre, which has two playrooms and consultancy rooms for maternal and child health services.

“This new centre not only improves the quality of the learning spaces available, it also increases access to services for local families and their children to meet growing demand,” Ms Lovell said.

“There are now 66 children enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten in Marong, up from 50.”

The centre has the potential to accommodate 88 children in 2014, relieving enrolment pressure on other services in the area. It is also able to offer 15 hour programs in the year before school without the displacement of three-year-old programs.

Ms Lovell also welcomed the plans to integrate maternal and child health services into the centre.

“Having a range of services on one site is more convenient for families, and makes it easier to track a child’s progress, from birth right through until they finish grade six,” Ms Lovell said.

Ms Lovell thanked the City of Greater Bendigo for its contribution of $82,000 and Loddon Mallee Preschool Association for its contribution of $25,000, and praised the parent committee for fundraising efforts that have supported the purchase of new books, furniture and play equipment.

“This new centre is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when the state government works hand-in-hand with the local community,” Ms Lovell said.

“It’s also exciting to know that our record investment in early childhood infrastructure will enable more Victorian services to follow Marong’s lead in 2013.

“Since December 2010, the Coalition Government has invested more than $93 million in state and national partnership funding to build new centres and upgrade existing centres, so they can offer 15 hour programs.

“I’m proud to say that more than 93 per cent of Victorian services now offer 15 hour programs, and we’re working with remaining services to help them reach the same target as soon as possible,” Ms Lovell said.

Special schools in the spotlight during Education Week

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:34:14 +10:00

A soon-to-be state-wide TV show run by and for students with disabilities, and a scheme that gets disabled young people into work are just some of the programs celebrated as part of Education Week in 2013.

Starting today and finishing on 25 May, Education Week shines a light on what schools and kinders are doing to make a difference in the lives of young Victorians.

Education Minister Martin Dixon said that in 2013, Victorian education is defined by innovation and creativity, and that much of this can be found in the state’s 80 special schools.

“Our special schools are engine rooms for new ideas – and they are leaders when it comes to preparing some of the state’s most vulnerable children to lead happy, engaged and productive lives,” Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon congratulated three leading special schools for their achievements at the Education Excellence Awards held on Friday 17 May in the lead up to Education Week.

Berendale School and Montague Continuing Education Centre won the Outstanding Youth Pathways and

Transitions award for ‘Ticket to Work’ – a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship program that provides moderately disabled students with work-ready skills and qualifications.

“This program breaks down the barriers that have for so long kept young people with disabilities out of the workforce,” Mr Dixon said.

“By placing students in the hospitality, horticulture, automotive and aged-care industries, these schools are not just empowering young people, they are also helping to meet skills shortages in the local economy.”

Teacher Shane Spence from Mount Evelyn Special Development School was a finalist for the state’s top teacher prize – the Lindsay Thompson Fellowship – for meTV.

On meTV – the school’s daily 15 minute TV show – a puppet pig called Strasburg reads the weather, and the children show off their cooking, counting and conversation skills.

“This program is not just heaps of fun – it has been proven to accelerate learning by allowing children to learn from watching themselves, and others like them, completing tasks,” Mr Dixon said.

“I congratulate the school for working with Quantum Victoria to transmit meTV to special schools right across the state.”

Mr Dixon said families with children with disabilities would share in the benefit of the 2013-14 Victorian Budget, which provided $85 million in extra funding for the Program for Students with Disabilities, the Students with

Disabilities Transport program, and Early Childhood Intervention Services.

Mr Dixon encouraged Victorians to see for themselves the great things happening in Victorian education at free events and school and kinder open-days throughout Education Week (19-25 May).

For more information about events and open-days near you please visit

www.education.vic.gov.au/educationweek

Languages all the talk during Education Week

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:33:22 +10:00

Education Minister Martin Dixon today encouraged Victorians to attend open days at their local schools and kindergartens as part of Education Week (19-25 May) – an annual celebration of Victorian education.

“Hundreds of schools and kinders across the state are opening their doors this week to showcase what they are doing to give children and young people the very best start in life,” Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon said this year Education Week also celebrates the many benefits of learning an additional language.

“Parents will be able to see how learning a language at school can expand a child’s world view, improve cognitive abilities and enhance literacy skills in English,” Mr Dixon said.

“They will also be able to see that learning a language can lead to many opportunities, including in-country experiences, new overseas friendships and future career and study options.”

Mr Dixon said that after a decade of falling participation rates in languages, the Victorian Coalition Government is working hard to ensure that all government school students can learn a language.

“It is our goal to ensure that all Victorian government schools offer a language program from Prep to Year 10 by 2025, starting with Prep in 2015,” Mr Dixon said.

“This means that children who are three years old today will go on to learn a language right through primary school and in secondary school, to at least Year 10.”

“By the time they turn 15 in 2025, these young people will have received 11 years of high-quality, continuous languages education.”

The wonderful world of languages will also be celebrated at free events held for school groups throughout

Education week at galleries, museums and libraries right across the state.

For more information about events and open days near you please visit

www.education.vic.gov.au/educationweek

Victorian teachers honoured for excellence

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:27:10 +10:00

Brentwood Secondary College maths teacher and part-time pilot Chris Barry has taken out Victoria’s top teacher prize for developing a program that literally gives students a flying start to life.

Mr Barry won the $50,000 Lindsay Thomson Fellowship at tonight’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards at Crown Palladium for his middle-years aviation program ‘Top Guns’.

Minister responsible for the Teaching Profession Peter Hall congratulated Mr Barry who plans to use the grant to develop a VCE-equivalent aviation subject and tertiary pathway that his and other schools can use.

“Mr Barry is a very worthy winner whose bright ideas stand to benefit students across the state,” Mr Hall said.

“The achievements of tonight’s winners are an inspiration to their colleagues and communities – and contribute to lifting the quality of teaching in this state.”

Mr Hall joined Education Minister Martin Dixon and Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell at the awards to honour winners across 14 categories. They are:

Lindsay Thompson Fellowship – Chris Barry, Brentwood Secondary College
School Leadership Team of the Year – Dandenong North Primary School
Primary Principal of the Year – Charles Branciforte, Keilor Views Primary School
Principal of the Year – Bronwyn Harcourt, Croydon Community School
Victorian Teachers Mutual Bank Primary Teacher of the Year – Rebecca Spink, Aitken Creek Primary School
bankmecu Secondary Teacher of the Year – Britt Gow, Hawkesdale P-12 College
Victorian Teachers Mutual Bank Teacher of the Year – Disability and Additional Needs - Amanda Purcell, Forest Hill College
Victorian Teachers Mutual Bank Teacher of the Year – Indigenous Education – Janet Barnard, Swan Hill Primary School
Outstanding Partnerships with Families and Communities – Huntly Primary School
Outstanding Youth Pathways and Transitions – Berendale School and Montague Education Centre
News Australia Outstanding Curriculum Innovation – Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Education Support Team of the Year – Cowes Primary School
bankmecu Business Manager of the Year - Mary Hannett, Chandler Park Primary School.

Ms Lovell said the awards celebrate the real difference teachers make in the lives of young Victorians from early childhood onwards.

“The early years are the foundation for a child’s learning,” Ms Lovell said.

“Children deserve just as high quality teaching at age four as they do at age 14.”

The winners were selected from a competitive field of finalists and each received a professional development and research grant worth between $10,000 and $50,000.

Mr Dixon said the grants represent an investment in building the capacity of the profession and growing leadership, innovation and creativity in Victorian government schools.

“Victoria’s education system is on a path to becoming one of the best in the world,” Mr Dixon said.

“By celebrating our best and brightest, the work they do, the programs they run and the relationships they build, we are moving Victorian education closer to the global top tier.”

Victorian defence, aerospace and automotive capabilities on show in US trade mission

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:26:27 +10:00

Victoria’s advanced manufacturing strengths in defence, aerospace and automotive will be on show during a trade mission to the US led by Minister for Manufacturing David Hodgett and supported by the Chair of the Defence Council Victoria, Ric Smith AO PSM.

Twenty four companies and organisations are taking part in the mission, which will run from 20 to 24 May in Washington DC and Detroit.

Mission members and Mr Hodgett will meet with key decision makers of major US companies including Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Ford and General Motors, and attend a series of industry networking events.

Mr Hodgett said the Victorian Coalition Government was committed to strengthening the state’s defence industry which has an annual turnover of around $1.5 billion.

“The sector is central in driving innovation, productivity and the uptake of new technologies, processes and materials by our entire manufacturing sector,” Mr Hodgett said.

“The Victorian Government’s Defence Industry Strategy, released last November, seeks to build on our strengths in aerospace design and manufacturing, military vehicle and naval shipbuilding.

“It also focuses on boosting munitions production and protective personal equipment by improving industry competitiveness and developing new market opportunities.

“The USA is the largest defence market in the world, valued at US$670 billion or about 45 per cent of the world’s defence spend.

“The Australia-USA Treaty on Defence Trade Cooperation gives us a competitive advantage in selling defence technology to the USA, enabling greater access and sharing of equipment, technology, information and services,” Mr Hodgett said.

Mr Hodgett said Victoria already enjoyed strong links with the US defence, aerospace and automotive sectors and this mission would build on them to develop new supply chain opportunities.

“Victorian companies have secured 75 per cent of all the Joint Strike Fighter work currently awarded in Australia, and account for 50 per cent of all Australian contracts awarded through the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Global Supply Chain program, many of them with major US defence and aerospace companies,” Mr Hodgett said.

Mr Hodgett said it was the 55th trade mission supported or organised by the Victorian Coalition Government since November 2010.

“Nearly 1,800 Victorian companies and organisations have taken part in these trade missions. They provide a unique platform to access global markets as part of boosting our industry and business productivity, competitiveness and export readiness,” Mr Hodgett said.

Flower market growers and wholesalers participate in ballots for Epping

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:25:40 +10:00

Flower market growers and wholesalers moved one step closer today to the new wholesale market at Epping by selecting stands in the new facility.

Minister for Major Projects David Hodgett said the holding of stand ballots was an important stage in removing uncertainty for flower growers and wholesalers in their relocation to Epping.
“I am pleased that 67 eligible wholesalers of flowers took part in today’s ballots for stands,” Mr Hodgett said.

The ballot process for flower stands follows the ballots held in December last year for fruit and vegetable wholesalers of stores – which was also a great success.

“The Victorian Coalition Government’s priority is to complete this important process and get the market up and running in 2014/15. The process of consultation with market tenants is well underway, with the priority to resolve issues and build confidence in the new market,” Mr Hodgett said.

Stand holders selected stand locations from a range of 152 stands through a fair and transparent ballot process. This was conducted by an independent expert and overseen by a probity adviser.

The ballots follow site visits by flower market members to Epping on 18 April 2013.

“I met with the Flower Advisory Committee on Monday 13 May to discuss the ballots and finalise the flower market facilities. I have asked the committee to provide advice on how any unallocated stands can be filled, following the ballots,” Mr Hodgett said.

“The Coalition Government will continue to discuss transition and operational aspects of the new market with the advisory committees.

“When the new flower market opens, complete with superior dedicated facilities, flower market tenants will pay about seven per cent less than they do now for stands and cool rooms.”
Chairman of the Melbourne Market Authority Neil Lowe said completion of the ballot process was the cornerstone of a smooth transition to state-of-the-art facilities at Epping.

VCAT fee structure modified following community feedback

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:21:59 +10:00

Attorney-General Robert Clark today announced that the Government has modified key elements of the proposed new VCAT fee structure after considering community feedback from Regulatory Impact Statement consultations

Objectors in planning applications will not be liable to pay any fees if they oppose an application to VCAT by a developer, and those bringing consumer, building or owner corporation claims worth less than $500 will continue to pay a fee only at the low “community fee” level.

As well, separate fees will no longer be charged for mediations, with user contributions to mediation costs instead being covered from commencement fees.

“The Government has listened and responded to key issues raised during public consultations,” Mr Clark said.

“At the same time, the new fee structure will restore a reasonable balance between taxpayer and user funding and provide VCAT with additional funds so it can hear more cases more quickly.

“Most fees payable by VCAT users will remain well below the full cost of VCAT proceedings, and many lists will continue to have no fee and low fee arrangements.

“Waiver and fee reduction provisions will also continue to apply in cases of hardship.”

“The previous Labor government failed to keep VCAT fees in line with the costs of running VCAT, meaning that an increasing and unreasonable share of the costs of running VCAT has been falling on taxpayers,” Mr Clark said.

Mr Clark said that after carefully considering the more than 250 submissions received as part of the RIS process that commenced in December last year, the Government intended to alter the new fee structure so that:

fair trading, domestic building and owners corporation claims worth less than $500 will continue to pay a fee at the ”community fee” level, of $43.90 when the new fees take effect.
separate mediation fees will no longer be charged, with a portion of the costs of mediation instead being recovered through an addition to application fees. A standard application fee in a planning matter will be $785.60 when the new fees take effect.
fees for claims about non-compliance with or improper issue of planning permits will also remain at the “community fee” level.

As at present, an applicant seeking to overturn a decision made by a Council on behalf of the local community about granting a planning permit or the conditions attached to it will continue to pay the standard application fee.

The new fee structure will take effect on 1 June 2013.

Seeking input into council performance

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:21:03 +10:00

Workshops are underway on the draft Performance Reporting Framework which has been designed to improve transparency and accountability in local government.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said nine workshops across Victoria, which started this week, would give key users an opportunity to provide input into the draft framework.

“The aim of the draft framework is to make it easier for people to see how their council is performing. It will be developed in consultation with technical experts, academics and local government officials,” Mrs Powell said.

“Crucial to the success of this initiative is feedback from the sector, to ensure that it is workable and will make it easier for councils to meet their statutory reporting requirements in a way that is easily understood.”

The Victorian Coalition Government is working with councils to develop the framework to ensure that all councils are measuring and reporting on their performance in a consistent way.

Mrs Powell said the nine workshops were in addition to the regular meetings that were held with mayors, councillors and chief executives.

“The adopted framework will become mandatory in the 2014-15 financial year and the workshops will provide feedback from the council managers and staff who will be responsible for implementing the framework,” Mrs Powell said.

“Working through the draft with them to make clear the purpose and technical aspects will improve their understanding of the requirements as well as providing us with their knowledge and experience to identify areas that might be improved.

“We are also keen to hear from the people who will most benefit from the framework – residents and ratepayers – at a public workshop being held on Tuesday 28 May in Melbourne.

“The framework will enable councils to identify areas where improvement is needed.”

For more information and to register to participate in a workshop, please visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/localgovernment/projects-and-programs/performance-reporting

See attached table for times and dates of Local Government Performance Reporting Framework workshops.

Date	Time	Location	Status
Tuesday 14 May	1pm to 3pm	Warrnambool Civic Centre 25 Liebig St, Warrnambool	Completed
Wednesday 15 May	10am to 12noon	Horsham Rural City Council Offices, Reception Room 18 Roberts Ave, Horsham	Completed
Friday 17 May	1pm to 3pm	Premiere Function Centre, Conference Room 29 Grey Street, Traralgon	Completed
Wednesday 22 May	10am to 12noon	Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Conference Room Cnr Ford and Ovens Streets, Wangaratta
Wednesday 22 May	3pm to 5pm	Victorian Government Offices, Room 3 & 4 Level 1, 56 - 60 King Street, Bendigo
Tuesday 28 May	10am to 12noon	Mercure Hotel Treasury Gardens, Fig Room 13 Spring Street, Melbourne
Tuesday 28 May Public workshop	2pm to 4pm	Mercure Hotel Treasury Gardens, Fig Room 13 Spring Street, Melbourne
Wednesday 29 May	10am to 12noon	Greater Dandenong City Council meeting rooms 1 & 2 397 – 405 Springvale Road, Springvale
Friday 31 May	1pm to 3pm	Victorian Government Offices, Room 4 111 Armstrong Street North , Ballarat

Outstanding Victorian apprentices recognised

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:20:15 +10:00

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall has commended some of Victoria’s most accomplished apprentices, presenting four major awards at the 2013 Master Builders State Apprentice of the Year ceremony.

More than half of Victoria’s 45,000 apprentices are eligible for the awards, which recognise the achievements of apprentices in the building and construction industry.

The State Apprentice of the Year award was presented to Matthew Miller from Tocumwal, an apprentice carpenter who is studying through Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE and is employed by F.A.D. Steel.

Mr Hall also presented the Female Apprentice of the Year award to Christine East from Mooroopna, the Metropolitan Apprentice of the Year award to Blake Jobson from Wyndham Vale and the Regional Apprentice of the Year award to joint winners Matthew Miller and Ryan Wheeler from Maffra.

“I am impressed by the proficiency and level of commitment that our Victorian apprentices display and want to congratulate tonight’s award winners,” Mr Hall said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is continuing to shape the training system to ensure there are sufficient skilled workers to meet demand, and nowhere is this more important than in the building and construction industry.”

Mr Hall said the Coalition Government was investing a record $6.1 billion in infrastructure projects over the coming four years, an investment that would have a direct impact on the building and construction industry – and on Victorian apprentices.

“Continued investment in skills is vital because the building and construction industry needs a highly skilled workforce that can deliver on these major projects, and at the same time boost productivity,” Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall said that, under the Coalition Government’s Refocusing Vocational Training in Victoria strategy, subsidies for apprenticeship courses had risen by about 20 per cent overall, with the average subsidy per apprentice rising to $3,280 per year.

“Over the next four years, the Coalition Government will invest more than $4.8 billion in training subsidies alone, including new investment of just over $1 billion,” Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall congratulated the Master Builders Association of Victoria for its strong commitment to improving the skills of its members, including apprentices.

The building and construction industry is the second largest provider of full-time employment in the state, employing more than 250,000 Victorians.

Coalition supports small retail – Streetlifegrants round two open

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:19:06 +10:00

Minister for Innovation Services and Small Business Louise Asher announced last night at a small business forum convened by Member for Burwood Graham Watt, that applications for funding under Round Two of the Victorian Coalition Government’s Streetlife program are now open.

Councils and trader or business associations around the state are eligible to apply for funding under the program, which supports projects that aim to revitalise shopfront trading activity in local business districts.

“Streetlife is a $6 million initiative that has funding over four years to
2016 to help small traders in community shopping precincts improve their business and retail management skills,” Ms Asher said.

“Working in partnership with their local council or representative business or trader group, retailers will participate in projects designed to attract more customers to their area and generate increased sales and revenue.

“Applications are now being sought for round two funding, and councils and trader groups are encouraged to submit their proposals for individual program grants.”

Ms Asher added, that up to 35 grants will be offered to councils on an
80:20 co-funding basis.

Up to 10 grants will also be offered to trader and business associations to support smaller, more localised projects, and also to establish new trader groups.

“We have listened to the needs of small retailers and created a new Streetlife category for prospective traders associations to apply for funding to assist with legal and strategic advice,” Ms Asher said.

“By broadening the reach of Streetlife funding and supporting smaller projects, we are ensuring that an even greater number of retail businesses have the opportunity to gain valuable skills under the program.”

Streetlife was launched by the Victorian Coalition Government in September 2012, with 24 Victorian councils and eight trader or business associations offered First Round funding in March this year.

Projects under Streetlife will enable small retailers to develop better marketing strategies, grow their online presence and capability, and build more sustainable business practices.

Applications for Round Two funding close at 5 pm on 23 July 2013. Further information on Streetlife, including the eligibility criteria and application process for Round Two, as well as the Streetlife Information Sessions can be found at www.business.vic.gov.au/streetlife.

Revised code to benefit ASX-listed life science companies

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:18:22 +10:00

Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips today announced that the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Australia’s biotechnology industry association, AusBiotech, have launched a revised edition of the industry code of best practice that will support capital formation by ASX-listed life science companies.

Mr Rich-Phillips said that the revised and updated Code of Best Practice for Reporting by Life Science Companies will have far-reaching benefits for the industry.

“The Code articulates the ‘best practice’ message, which aims to provide investors and others with reassurance when investing in life science companies, thus supporting the industry in its ongoing bid to attract capital,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

“It also seeks to support and build the capability and understanding of less experienced directors or those new to life sciences.

“Support for revision of the Code was recommended by the Victorian Biotechnology Advisory Council, and is very much in line with objectives of our major policy statement, Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future – Biotechnology,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

Dr Anna Lavelle, CEO of AusBiotech, said that the Code Edition Two is based on joint work done by the ASX and AusBiotech in 2005-06.

“Life science firms have a unique business model. Many are small and require long-term investment during their pre-revenue phase, making them less attractive for institutional and other investors who don’t have specific knowledge of the life sciences,” Dr Lavelle said.

“One of the ways to address information quality and asymmetry, thus improving investor confidence, is to provide guidelines that are recognised by the ASX.

“This provides potential investors with a measure to see that companies are managing disclosure and reporting appropriately, as well as acting as educational support for potential investors and directors regarding clinical trials and other matters.”

Kevin Lewis, ASX Chief Compliance Officer, said the Code of Best Practice for Reporting by Life Science Companies helps guide life science companies to fulfil their continuous disclosure requirements and communicate with the market more broadly.

“The updated Code reinforces ASX’s recently published guidance on continuous disclosure requirements for listed companies, an essential part of maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the listed life science sector. It also has the commercial benefit of helping life science companies in their communication with market participants,” Mr Lewis said.

Companies using the Code of Best Practice for Reporting by Life Science Companies have adopted ‘best practice’ governance for the disclosure of information to securities investors.

The second edition of the Code is based on joint work done by the ASX and AusBiotech and is supported by the Victorian Coalition Government. The Coalition Government is also supporting the development of a guide for new directors, or those who are experienced directors but new to life sciences.

For more information and to access the code visit www.asx.com.au/research/industry-sectors.htm

$60,000 boost lights up Horsham College

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:17:46 +10:00

More people in Horsham will be getting more active, more often, following today’s news of a $60,000 Victorian Coalition Government funding boost to install new oval lighting at Horsham College.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty visited the school today to announce the funding for the project from the Country Football Netball Program.

“Sporting facilities are important community assets and provide a social hub, particularly in regional areas,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The new oval lighting will not only be a great win for the school but also for sporting clubs, including Horsham Demons Football Netball Club and Horsham United Football Club which will have access to an alternative training venue, alleviating the overuse of City Oval.
“The new lights will also give the school an opportunity to open up the oval for after-school activities, including sports training and athletics carnivals.

“Our investment in this project is part of our plan to build for future growth by developing more sustainable local venues that make a real difference to local people.
“This is just one way we are delivering on the Victorian Government’s strategy to grow the economy, build infrastructure and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the State,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty thanked Horsham Rural City Council for securing the funding and contributing $30,000 to the project

For more information about community sporting facility funding programs on offer, please visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Stawell Swifts score $80,000 for new oval lighting

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:16:51 +10:00

More people in Stawell will be getting more active, more often, following today’s news of an $80,000 Victorian Coaltion Government funding boost to install new oval lighting at North Park, home of the Stawell Swifts Football Netball Club.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty visited the club today to announce the funding from the Country Football Netball Program.

“A key objective of the Victorian Coalition Government is to build healthy and active communities,” Mr Delahunty said.

“To achieve this goal, we need quality community facilities that encourage local people to play the sports they love for many years to come.

“The project will upgrade the current lighting to provide more opportunity for the various junior and senior squads that represent the Stawell Swifts Football Netball Club to extend their training times well into the night and develop their game.

“Nearby schools will also be able to take advantage of the lighting for after school training and sports carnivals.

“Our investment in this project is part of our plan to build for future growth by developing more sustainable local venues that make a real difference to local people.
“This is just one way we are delivering on the Coalition Government’s strategy to grow the economy, build infrastructure and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the State,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty thanked funding partners Northern Grampians Shire Council for securing the funding and providing $5,000, the Stawell Swifts Football Netball Club for its funding and in-kind contribution of $55,000 and the Stawell Recreation Board of Management for providing $10,000 to the project.

For more information about community sporting facility funding programs on offer, please visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Geelong boat builder wins grant to introduce new technology

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:55:30 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government has awarded Jeff Sykes & Associates Pty Ltd of Geelong, a new technology grant of $208,700 for specialised equipment to boost productivity and competitiveness.

Minister for Manufacturing David Hodgett today congratulated Australia’s largest manufacturer of racing rowing boats that have been behind most of Australia’s Olympic and World Championship medals.

“Jeff Sykes & Associates will use the grant from the Coalition Government’s Investing in Manufacturing Technology (IMT) program to purchase advanced CNC milling and pasting technology,” Mr Hodgett said.

“This will allow the company to produce composite moulds, patterns and finished parts to advance existing Sykes products or enable diversification across multiple sectors within the composite materials industry – while also creating 12 new jobs.”

Mr Hodgett announced that Jeff Sykes & Associates is a recipient of the grant under round 2 of the IMT program, which is designed to stimulate investment in new technology.

“IMT is a key initiative of the Coalition Government’s Manufacturing Strategy. These grants are an excellent example of how new technology is helping to improve production processes, develop new skills, and take advantage of a range of innovative export opportunities,” Mr Hodgett said.

“Victoria is the hub of Australia’s manufacturing industry but to meet the challenge of the high Australian dollar and competitive international markets, manufacturers must look to increase investment in new technology to remain competitive.”

IMT grants require a minimum co-contribution from the business of 75 per cent of total eligible project expenditure (i.e. $3 for every $1 granted).
Another round of grants will open later in 2013. For more information please visit www.business.vic.gov.au/imt.

Coalition and Victorian Rugby Union join to support Indigenous employment participation

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:53:36 +10:00

A new program that harnesses Victorian rugby to develop employment opportunities for young Aboriginal people across the State was launched today by Minister for Employment and Trade Louise Asher.

The Access Rugby Aboriginal Employment Program will be delivered by the Victorian Rugby Union (VRU) in the local government regions of Greater Dandenong/Casey and the Rural Cities of Mildura and Swan Hill-Robinvale.

Speaking at AAMI Park, Ms Asher said the program aimed to deliver a minimum of 45 jobs in these communities for Aboriginal people while also developing opportunities for young people to improve their lives and future.

“The VRU will help establish Community Clubs in these regions to bring businesses and the community together to create sustainable employment, mentoring and support for Aboriginal people,” Ms Asher said.

“The VRU and the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels will also appoint three locally based employment brokers to identify job opportunities for young Aboriginal people among the Victorian Rugby Union Club’s sponsors, members, support groups and suppliers.

“The wholehearted commitment and involvement of Victoria’s rugby community is central to the success of this new program.

“Sport is one of our key community bonds, offering a sense of achievement, belonging and focus, enhancing health and providing role models and aspirational pathways for young people.

“This is particularly true for Rugby Union, a code based on strong traditional values such as respect and teamwork – and one that is passionately supported by the young people that are the target of this program,” Ms Asher said.

“The VRU has a long history of supporting and mentoring young people and provides business networks and strong partnerships with Victoria Police, government and community organisations and with schools and tertiary institutions.

“The Access rugby program will involve professional coaches and mentors, including Victoria’s Super 15 Rugby Club, the Melbourne Rebels and the Access Rugby Ambassadors, Cooper Vuna, Gareth Delve and Stirling Mortlock.”

Ms Asher said the Victorian Coalition Government was working to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians through its Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework.

“One of the most fundamental ways we can tackle disadvantage and close the gap for Victorian Aboriginals is through increased economic participation and development,” Ms Asher said.

“The Access Rugby Aboriginal Employment Program is a unique opportunity for a major international sporting code to lead the way in creating new employment opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians by leveraging its people, networks, partnerships and its standing in the community.”

Victorian Rugby Union CEO Ross Oakley said one thing that was pleasing about the Access Rugby Aboriginal Employment Project was the speed at which the team had been able to activate the program.

“Already we have secured a number of sponsors, including the Mildura-based Northern Alliance Training Services and Westfield Fountain Gate,” Mr Oakley said.

“The Robinvale-Euston Rugby Union Club has been established and it is currently undertaking partnership discussions to create a community hub in the region.

“Most importantly the program has also achieved seven employment and two return to school outcomes.

“Of particular significance is the project’s partnership with Victoria Police. We have been fortunate to work with a number of outstanding members of the force. They are truly committed to working with us to ensure that this program makes a real difference to people’s lives.

“Fundamental to this initiative has been the support and funding provided by the Victorian Government. The executive and staff of the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation have demonstrated great enthusiasm and professionalism in their collaboration with the Victorian Rugby Union,” Mr Oakley said.

Melbourne Rebels CEO Rob Clarke said the program, brought together by the Victorian Government and Victorian Rugby Union, with the strong support of the Victoria Police, demonstrated national leadership in the important area of linking sport to tangible and positive community outcomes.

“The Access Rugby program stands above and beyond anything of its type that I have experienced in rugby,” Mr Clarke said.

“The project has numerous benefits, not only for the community, but also for the Melbourne Rebels’ player group and our Club.

“Our players will have an essential role in helping to enhance communities in the identified regions, and through this work the players will also grow and learn important life skills.

“In essence, this program represents exactly what our Rebel Pledge stands for,” Mr Clarke said.

Constitution wording confirms fears

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:49:21 +10:00

Fears that Victorian councils could be worse off under Constitutional recognition of local government have been confirmed today with the Gillard Government releasing proposed wording changes to the Australian Constitution.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the Victorian Coalition Government could not support changes to the Commonwealth Constitution that raise legal uncertainty and risk the level of financial support for Victoria’s local government sector.

“The proposed words insert local government into the heart of the Australian Constitution and the Victorian Coalition Government is not convinced by political promises from the Gillard Government that this will not result in legal uncertainty,” Mrs Powell said.

“Changes to the Australian Constitution could blur the roles and responsibilities between the three tiers of government, leading to poorer overall outcomes for our communities.”

“State Governments need certainty that they can step in and take corrective action against poorly governed councils – such as Brimbank – and there are concerns the proposed Constitutional changes may put that ability at risk.

Mrs Powell said there is a high probability Victoria’s reformed, efficient and relatively better performing councils could lose money to subsidise poorly performing councils in other states.

“There is no guarantee a Federal Government would not seek to use new Constitutional powers to promote their own political agendas and priorities at the expense of States,” Mrs Powell said.

“Councils should not be tricked into thinking Constitutional recognition will mean more money as the Commonwealth’s contribution to local government through Financial Assistance Grants fell from 1.02 per cent of total Commonwealth taxation revenue in 1996-97, to about 0.65 per cent in 2011-12.”

Mrs Powell said Commonwealth arguments about the security of existing council funding programs such as Roads to Recovery are a furphy. These programs are not at risk.

“The Victorian Coalition Government will defend the long-term interests of our effective local government sector by opposing Federal Labor’s proposed Referendum.

VicForests Resource Outlook

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:48:46 +10:00

VicForests has today released the 2013 Resource Outlook for timber resources in Victoria’s state forests.

In line with Victoria’s commitment to responsible and sustainable management of our working forests, less timber will be harvested in Mountain Ash forests from 1 July, 2017.

This decision is a direct result of the significant impact of the 2009 bushfires on Victoria’s state forests.

While this decision will disappoint some businesses and workers, it is vital that VicForests manages the harvest of our state forestry resources at sustainable levels to ensure a long-term future for the industry.

This decision reinforces the genuine commitment VicForests has to responsible, world-standard and science-based management practices.

VicForests will be working to help industry adjust as the 2017 transition approaches.

Latrobe Valley grass roots sports will be going places thanks to $8,500 boost

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:47:48 +10:00

Even more people in the Latrobe Valley will have the chance to boost their skills and reach their potential through sports thanks to $8,500 of Victorian Coalition Government funding for seven local sport and recreation initiatives.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty today joined Member for Morwell Russell Northe at Traralgon Basketball Stadium to announce the successful Latrobe Valley funding recipients, as part of the second round of projects that have shared in over $351,000 as part of the 2013 Country Action Grant Scheme and Victalent grants.

Recipients and funded initiatives in the Latrobe Valley include:

A $4,800 Country Action grant for Latrobe City Energy Basketball to develop a strategic plan that will facilitate community participation by addressing operational needs and ensuring the sustainability of the organisation;
A $1,180 Country Action grant to Gippsland Athletics to provide Athletics Victoria training for athletics coaches and officials;
Two $500 Victalent grants to Traralgon Harriers Athletics Club to assist a team competing in the Athletics Victoria Road and Cross Country Championship series and a coach from Briagolong conducting training in Traralgon;
Two $500 Victalent grants to Traralgon Table Tennis Association to assist junior members competing across Victoria at State level; and
A $500 Victalent grant to Yallourn Golf Club to assist their senior pennant team to compete across Gippsland.

“The Country Action Grant Scheme grants go a long way to help local sports organisations improve their administration and program delivery so they can provide even better sporting opportunities for their communities,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Victalent grants assist with travel costs and removing potential barriers to training and competition that may hinder regional athletes from realising sporting dreams.

“Together these programs assist grassroots sport in rural and regional communities to increase their local skill base, and promote active participation by helping to meet the travel costs incurred by local clubs and members,” Mr Delahunty said.

Formal planning process and consultation starts for the East West Link

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:47:07 +10:00

Community members can learn more and have their say about the East West Link project with a formal planning process for the city-shaping project officially starting today, Minister for Roads Terry Mulder announced.

Mr Mulder said that an indicative corridor for the project had been developed and it was now time to get feedback from the community before finalising a more detailed design for release over the coming months.

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering the East West Link for the Victorian community as announced in last week’s Victorian Budget,” Mr Mulder said.

“This work will concentrate on any social, heritage and environmental impacts of the project and how they can be best avoided or mitigated.

“While we know that we clearly need the East West Link, it’s important to understand any local concerns so that we can take these into account as the project develops. We are encouraging everyone to participate in the planning process and upcoming consultation activities for the East West Link.

“We also expect the market to have some innovative ideas on the East West Link given its expertise in financing and constructing major tunnel projects around the world, so we’ll also be seeking ideas from industry,” Mr Mulder said.

Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said that the planning process and consultation work can now begin.

“I have decided that a Comprehensive Impact Statement (CIS) is required under the Major Transport Project Facilitation Act 2009,” Mr Guy said.

“This is a clear, transparent planning and assessment process that involves community feedback on this important project for all Victorians.”

Mr Mulder said this meant there would be a range of technical studies in areas like social, heritage and environmental to help understand any issues, with the final CIS documentation expected to be on exhibition for public comment by the end of this year.

“This is really looking at all the nuts and bolts of the East West Link and making sure that people have the opportunity to provide input into its development, while also applying for the necessary approvals ahead of its construction,” Mr Mulder said.

Government agency Linking Melbourne Authority will be holding a series of public information displays for the East West Link over the coming weeks:

Saturday 1 June, 11.00am to 3.00pm at St Brendan’s Hall, Corner of Church and High Streets, Flemington;
Sunday 2 June, 11.00am to 3.00pm at Collingwood Masonic Hall, 141 Gipps Street, Collingwood;
Monday 3 June, 5.00pm to 8.00pm at St Michael’s Parish Hall, 14 McIlwraith Street, North Carlton; and
Thursday 6 June, 5.00pm to 8.00pm at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, Brens Drive, Royal Park.

There will also be more information on the project and planning process available through an online consultation set to launch over the coming weeks at www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au and a community reference group, which is being established to help facilitate communication between the planning team and wider community.

For more information on the East West Link planning work and opportunities to be involved, visit www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au.

Funds to create space at the Castlemaine Library

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:46:07 +10:00

Library lovers, young and old, will soon have more room to move in Castlemaine, when the library undergoes a $148,000 upgrade.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the Victorian Coalition Government would contribute $100,000 towards the project, which would increase the library floor space by more than a

third.

“The very first grant from the third round of the Coalition Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program is going to a wonderful community library service in central Victoria,” Mrs Powell said.

“Once the project is completed, the toddlers who love story times here each week will have more wriggle room, the residents who come here for the Scrabblers group and the weekly knitting group will have more room to move, and the young people who access the wifi will have more elbow room around their study and reading space.

“The extra space will mean the library can host more of the really popular author talks, or just welcome more people to the existing program and it also means that the ambitious Page to Stage program for young people can be brought to life.

“All these great activities will be enjoyed in comfort, with new lighting, heating and cooling.”

Mrs Powell said the Coalition Government was pleased to partner with the Mount Alexander Shire Council on the project.

“The Coalition Government is investing in the future of local communities by building first class community assets through the $17.2 million Living Libraries Infrastructure Program,” Mrs Powell said.

“Last financial year more than 1.1 million people accessed the broad range of activities and services offered by Victoria’s public libraries, which is a good measure of their importance.

“Libraries are a valued part of the lives of many Victorians so we are proud to support them.”

Coalition Government grant helps food producer dish up 26 new Geelong jobs

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:44:46 +10:00

A growing Geelong food manufacturer will expand and create 26 new jobs thanks to funding provided by the Victorian Coalition Government.

Visiting Geelong today, Premier and Minister for Regional Cities Denis Napthine said Farm Foods Retail Services would receive $215,000 to support a $650,000 manufacturing production line project.

Farm Foods Retail Services is a manufacturer of gourmet fresh meat products including sausages and burgers, for large retailers and food distributors.

Farm Foods has grown from a chain of gourmet delicatessens across Geelong to become one of the largest value-adding meat plants in the country.

“I am delighted to announce that funding from the Greater Geelong Industry Fund will help Farm Foods Retail Services create two new manufacturing production lines, which will enhance its export potential,” Dr Napthine said.

“It will also allow Farm Foods Retail Services to introduce portion control and extend product shelf life using innovative technology and packaging systems.

“I can also announce that Farms Foods will be joining the Coalition Government’s Super Trade Mission to South East Asia in June this year. They see this as a great opportunity to leverage export opportunities and further expand their business,” Dr Napthine said.

Minister for Manufacturing David Hodgett said the $4 million Greater Geelong Industry Fund forms part of the Coalition Government’s broader $15 million Geelong Development Fund.

“We are working with growing businesses such as Farm Foods to find practical, long-term initiatives that will help secure the local industry,” Mr Hodgett said.

“The Fund also supports businesses seeking to transition into new growth markets, adopt new technologies, new processes or develop new products.

“Grants of up to $250,000 are available and must be matched by a minimum co-contribution from the applicant of two dollars for every one dollar granted,” Mr Hodgett said.

Farm Foods Retail Services expects the project to be completed by mid-2015.

For more information visit www.business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/greater-geelong-industry-fund

$8 million upgrade for Northern Bay P-12 College in Corio

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:43:44 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government today provided $8 million for major infrastructure upgrades at Northern Bay P-12 College on four of its six campuses in Corio.

Speaking at the College, Premier Denis Napthine said the upgrade highlighted the benefits now available for local school communities that have shared in $203 million in school capital works funding announced in the 2013-14 Victorian Budget.

“These new state-of-the-art facilities will engage the next generation of students in meaningful learning and encourage them to become lifelong learners,” Dr Napthine said.

“This is a significant investment in current and future students in Corio and Greater Geelong.”

The upgrades will include:

an administration centre and P-2 classrooms at the College’s main campus on Hendy Street;
specialist buildings at the Goldsworthy Road 9-12 campus;
a P-2 learning community and site works at the Wexford Court P-8 campus; and
landscaping and minor site works at the Peacock Avenue P-8 campus.

Dr Napthine said this new investment built on $8.3 million in funding from the 2012-13 Budget that transformed Corio West and Norlane West Primary Schools into Northern Bay’s Wexford Court and Peacock Avenue P-8 campuses.

Joining the Premier at the College, Minister for Education Martin Dixon said the new $8 million investment in Northern Bay P-12 College formed part of $611 million in school capital works delivered since November 2010.

“The Coalition Government is building for growth in our communities, and we are committed to making high priority capital investments in areas of the greatest need,” Mr Dixon said.

“The Coalition Government recognises the importance of certainty around future infrastructure investments for our schools. We are developing a long-term project pipeline and a more transparent funding process.”

Member for Western Victoria Region David Koch said the announcement was great for the community.

“This will ensure we are providing the best possible education for our young people,” Mr Koch said.

“The Coalition Government has a strong commitment to the northern suburbs of Geelong, with the $80 million public and private housing development in New Norlane and funding to the Work Learning Centre – which is creating jobs for young people in the local area.”

Mr Dixon said that through strong and responsible economic management the Coalition Government was able to support families and students across Victoria to achieve excellence in education.

“Top quality learning environments contribute to top quality learning and form an integral part of our strategy to place the Victorian school system in the global top tier within the next decade,” Mr Dixon said.

2014 AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Tennis International nets $5,000 boost

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:42:17 +10:00

The 2014 AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Tennis International is set to be even bigger and better with Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty today announcing $5,000 in Victorian Coalition Government funding to help stage the junior tennis international.

Joined by Member for Morwell Russell Northe, Mr Delahunty said the event, to be held from 9-16 January 2014 at the Traralgon Tennis Centre had become a feature of the junior international circuit and a real home-grown success story.

“Off the back of hosting this year’s successful Loy Yang Power Traralgon International and the 2012 Latrobe City International Pro Tour, Traralgon Tennis Centre is developing a reputation as a springboard for up-and-coming tennis champions,” Mr Delahunty said.

“This boost ensures the impressive 24 court Traralgon Tennis Centre can maintain its advantage when it comes to attracting big events by building on the growing list of elite tennis championships making their way to town.

“Elite tennis tournaments like these also provide a great boost for regional tennis, inspiring a whole new generation to hit the courts, join clubs and follow in the footsteps of future stars.”

The AGL Loy Yang Traralgon Tennis International is expected to attract up to 128 junior competitors from across the world, and will feature the Australian Open Junior Qualifying tournament over the last two days of the competition.

Mr Delahunty said events like the International contributed to Victoria’s major sporting events calendar, helping to attract many visitors to Victoria, provide a stimulus for the economy and boost sports participation at a local level.

“Through initiatives like the Significant Sporting Events Program we can work together to develop and support a wide range of events that help keep Victoria in the national and international spotlight,” Mr Delahunty said.

For more information about the Significant Sporting Events Program go to www.sport.vic.gov.au

Victorian sports set for action thanks to $176,000 boost

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:40:48 +10:00

Even more people across Victoria will have the chance to boost their skills and reach their potential through sport thanks to a $176,000 Victorian Coalition Government funding boost towards 133 local sport and recreation initiatives.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty today announced the funding recipients of the second phase of the 2013 Country Action Grant Scheme and Victalent grants.

“Each day thousands of Victorians go above and beyond to support their local sports,” Mr Delahunty said.

“A great example of this commitment is the distance covered by the many rural and regional teams, coaches, and athletes just to compete in their local competitions.

“The Victalent grants help these Victorians with travel costs removing potential barriers to training, competition and realising their sporting dreams.”

Mr Delahunty said supporting local organisations to operate more effectively was another way the Coalition Government was also ensuring even more Victorians got their chance to play sport and get more active, more often.

“That’s why the Country Action Grant Scheme is so important,” Mr Delahunty said.

“They help local sports organisations improve their administration and program delivery so they can provide even better participation opportunities for their communities.

“Together the programs go a long way to assist grassroots sport in rural and regional communities to increase their local skill base, implement best practice and promote active participation by helping to meet the travel costs incurred by local clubs and members.”
Mr Delahunty said 249 projects had now benefitted from a share of $351,000 in the two phases of these 2013 grants programs.

“By investing in great initiatives like these we can encourage more people to get involved in sport and recreation, increase participation, help them develop new skills and improve overall well being,” Mr Delahunty said.

Successful organisations receive up to $5,000 through the Country Action Grant Scheme and/or one or two Victalent grants of $500 for travel assistance.

Recreational fishing nets a $1.6 million boost

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:40:19 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government has approved more than $1.6 million in new funding for a range of projects that will improve recreational fishing opportunities across the state.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said money from the sale of Recreational Fishing Licences had been allocated to 12 new projects across Victoria that will improve fish habitat, build stronger fisheries and improve facilities for fishers of all abilities.

“Fishing is one of Victoria’s most important recreational pastimes and makes a vital contribution to regional employment and local economic activity,” Mr Walsh said.

“The Coalition Government wants to make sure our 720,000 recreational fishers have the best fishing conditions possible and these grants help to make that happen.”

This year’s round of large grants allocated under the Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ Recreational Fishing Grants Program include:

$300,000 over three years to the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority to improve fish habitat and build fish populations in East Gippsland waterways;
$263,206 over three years to Fisheries Victoria to better understand the recreational catch of snapper in Victorian waters;
$150,000 over three years to improve Murray Cod fishing in Victoria;
$115,667 to Lake Purrumbete Angling Club Inc. to assess the performance of recently stocked chinook salmon into Lake Purrumbete and Lake Bullen Merri;
$114,000 over three years for the Victorian Fishers for Fish Habitat Program;
$113,500 over three years to Fishcare Victoria Inc. to conduct 300 FishRight workshops around Victoria;
$58,510 over two years to Monash University to improve the Macquarie perch fishery;
$38,800 to VRFish to conduct a recreational fisher awareness campaign to reduce released snapper mortality;
$45,000 to improve fish migration through the Broken River Weir;
$40,000 to build an all-abilities fishing platform on the northern breakwater at St. Helens Boat Harbour at Geelong;
$39,426 to the Association of Geelong & District Angling Clubs Inc. to build an all-abilities fishing platform at Aire River, Glenaire; and
$22,000 to develop a recreational fishing strategy for the Docklands precinct.

Mr Walsh said a further $224,000 of Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account funds had been allocated for a range of recreational fisheries education and communications materials.

These include funds to produce and circulate 300,000 copies of the 2013-14 Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide, 200,000 fish length ruler stickers and 500 metal fish length rules,

20,000 abalone, rock lobster and spiny crayfish rulers in three languages, 1,000 abalone dive tags and 30,000 ‘Know your (fish) limits’ pocket cards in four languages.

More information about the Recreational Fishing Grants Program is available at: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries/about-fisheries/fishing-grants-program

Recognition and support for palliative care volunteers

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:39:43 +10:00

Minister for Health David Davis today launched the Victorian Palliative Care Volunteering Strategy, which was developed following detailed research and broad consultation with volunteers and the sector.

“The strategy will provide practical guidance for palliative care services on how to use best practice approaches for recruitment, induction, training, deployment and importantly recognition of volunteers,” Mr Davis said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government has committed $130,000 funding annually to assist with strengthening palliative care volunteering in Victoria.

“Volunteers will be provided with the skills and resources they need to undertake their role and to make volunteering a valuable and rewarding part of their lives.”

Mr Davis said the Victorian Palliative Care Volunteering Strategy – 2013-16 outlines how to boost recruitment, as well as induct, train, deploy and most importantly, recognise volunteers.

“Volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, give their time freely and carry out a wide range of roles,” Mr Davis said.

“The reasons for volunteering are varied, however the most common is a positive experience with a palliative care service when they were caring for a loved one.

“Volunteers make up 60 per cent of the palliative care workforce and they provide emotional and social support, help with organisational governance and fundraising.”

Mr Davis said volunteers also played a key part in promoting palliative care principles and projects.

“National Volunteer Week offers the government an opportunity to thank the volunteers who care for Victorians with a life-threatening illness and their families,” Mr Davis said.

“I think every Victorian values and appreciates the role that volunteers play.”

Victorian Traditional Owners central to cultural heritage decisions

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:39:21 +10:00

Victoria’s leadership to ensure Aboriginal people have a strong voice in managing their own cultural heritage will be strengthened.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Jeanette Powell visited the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation in Ballarat today to outline the Coalition Government’s response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Establishment and Effectiveness of Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs). The response was tabled in parliament on Tuesday 14 May 2013.

“The Coalition Government has listened to the ideas, opinions and experiences of a wide variety of people and organisations, and has committed to making improvements ,” Mrs Powell said.

“The Government is working with the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council to strengthen and support cultural heritage protection, reduce cost and complexity, making cultural heritage management plans easier to prepare, evaluate and implement.

“The feedback on these reforms has been positive from local councils, RAPs, industry and other interested parties,” she said.

Mrs Powell said the Parliamentary Inquiry report tabled last November listed 38 recommendations for improvements to the system under which RAPs operate.

“Of the recommendations from the Inquiry, the Coalition Government fully supports 30 recommendations, and a further six are supported in-principle. Further work is being undertaken on potential amendments to the Aboriginal Heritage Act.”

Mrs Powell said reform of the Act would be directed by four guiding principles identified by the Inquiry:

Ensuring the primacy of Traditional Owners in cultural heritage protection and management through effective, accountable and transparent decision-making,
Ensuring sustainable Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs),
Maintaining an efficient, effective, best practice Aboriginal cultural heritage, and
Creating certainty for all land users.

“Among the most important recommendations to come from the Parliamentary Inquiry is the recognition of the pre-eminence of Traditional Owners in decision making around heritage matters and the need for a sustainable funding structure to help them carry out their important work.

“Through the 2013-14 State Budget we are providing $1.5 million for the new initiative: Building Effective Registered Aboriginal Parties.

“This funding will enable RAPs to build their capacity to meet their obligations under the Act over the next year and improve compliance and enforcement to provide stronger protection for Aboriginal cultural heritage,” she said.

The Parliamentary Inquiry into the Establishment and Effectiveness of RAPS received 70 submissions and heard from 39 speakers.

New rules simplify the retirement village search

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:38:32 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government is making it easier for seniors and their families to choose a retirement village, Minister for Consumer Affairs Heidi Victoria said.

Today the Minister released a Regulatory Impact Statement for changes to retirement village information disclosure requirements, and called for public submissions on the new regulations.

“Moving into a retirement village is a significant lifestyle and financial decision, and people need to make informed choices in considering such a move,” Ms Victoria said.

“Retirement village contracts can be complex, and sometimes people make decisions based on emotions rather than hard facts.”

The new regulations will assist prospective residents to make the best possible decision by:

requiring that prospective residents be given a statement of the entry costs, ongoing costs and departure costs before signing a contract;
standardising the structure of retirement village contracts to make them easier to understand and compare;
introducing a basic set of mandatory rights and responsibilities of retirement village residents, managers and owners; and
requiring that retirees who express an interest in a retirement village be given a factsheet of relevant information about the village and access to inspect relevant village documents.

“The introduction of these regulations will see the implementation of the Victorian Coalition’s election commitment to helping Victorians better understand their rights and obligations when choosing a retirement village and once they become a resident,” Ms Victoria said.

“There are around 37,000 seniors living in retirement villages or similar accommodation, and with an ageing population more and more Victorians are likely to move to retirement villages.”

The Regulatory Impact Statement can be downloaded from www.consumer.vic.gov.au/consultations and submissions will be welcome until 19 July 2013.

The Government will consider submissions before making a decision on the final form of the regulations.

The new regulations build on the Coalition’s support for the retirement village sector. In 2012 the Government launched two important publications for retirement village residents and operators: Retirement Villages – Good practice to address key issues and Retirement Villages – Internal Dispute Resolutions Guidelines for Owners and Managers.

These documents encourage a more consistent approach to preventing and dealing with contentious issues, and support best practice in preventing and managing complaints and disputes.

During 2012, Consumer Affairs Victoria received more than 630 enquiries about retirement villages, including queries about contract terms and fees.

From March to August last year, Consumer Affairs Victoria received 350 calls, including:

requests for a Consumer Affairs Victoria booklet providing advice on retirement villages;
enquiries about management fees and rent increases;
enquiries about requirements to refurbish units before moving or selling a unit;
enquiries about delays in refurbishment; and
enquiries about the maintenance of retirement villages and the ability of residents to raise concerns.

The Consumer Affairs Victoria’s website provides comprehensive information about moving to a retirement village.

Those without online access can call 1300 55 81 81 and request a copy of the brochure, Retirement Villages – Guide to choosing and living in a retirement village

Guy’s design for regional Victoria

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:46:27 +10:00

Planning Minister Matthew Guy today launched three new public open spaces as part of the central Wodonga urban renewal precinct.

“The revitalisation of this 10 hectare site in Wodonga will become a vibrant precinct that can be used for retail, entertainment, residential, commercial and public uses,” Mr Guy said.

Mr Guy and Member for Benambra Bill Tilley planted the first of more than 500 trees to be located at the Junction Place precinct in central Wodonga.

The area will be transformed into three public open spaces including water features, public art, play spaces, trees and revitalised rail infrastructure.

“The refurbishment of the historic Goods Shed and a new restaurant are all exciting aspects of this urban renewal project,” Mr Guy said.

Mr Guy said Places Victoria had worked with the community on the design of the three new public open spaces to ensure they characterise the city. The design concepts were the work of landscape architects Aspect Studios.

The three public open spaces at Junction Place are: Urban Square (4,000 square metres), Green Square (5,300 square metres) and the connecting Promenade (1,500 square metres). The spaces can be used separately or as one large connected area for major events.

During July 2011, the Victorian Coalition Government announced that Places Victoria will deliver a major urban renewal initiative on the vacant site and received endorsement from Mr Tilley.

“This announcement demonstrates that Minister Guy and the Coalition Government has, and continues to listen to, the aspirations of the Wodonga community to grow and enhance existing areas of its current CBD,” Mr Tilley said.

“The past 12 months have seen the commencement of site remediation, commencement and completion of work on key road connections, three market processes, commitment of the first new business in the new Broadgauge restaurant and $2 million restoration works to the historic Goods Shed and Station Building,” Mr Guy said.

Construction of the Urban Square, the first of the public spaces to get underway will commence in the second half of 2014.

Community Infrastructure Grants round opens

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:45:48 +10:00

Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras today announced the opening of the 2013 Small Capital Infrastructure Grants Program, which is part of the Cultural Precincts and Community Infrastructure Fund.

Under this Program, not-for-profit organisations representing culturally and linguistically diverse communities may apply for grants of between $20,000 and $100,000, to restore existing community-owned facilities across Victoria.

“Victoria’s cultural precincts and community infrastructure are at the heart of our multicultural success story. They enhance Victoria’s rich multicultural tapestry by providing meaningful spaces for our many diverse communities to meet, socialise and share their cultural traditions,” Mr Kotsiras said.

“This Grants Program assists community organisations to develop an inclusive and welcoming environment that supports their members and the broader Victorian community.”

The 2013 Small Capital Infrastructure Grants Program will fund improvements to venues and facilities used by community organisations to hold social activities; provide support services to their local community, including the elderly and recent migrants; and to teach community languages.

“These facilities play an integral role in promoting civic participation and social engagement across the Victorian community, and in ensuring that our multicultural communities are able to preserve their heritage and traditions from one generation to the next, ” Mr Kotsiras said.

The Cultural Precincts and Community Infrastructure Fund is a $12 million investment by the Victorian Coalition Government over four years (2010-2014), to enhance cultural precincts and community facilities in Victoria, and secure the longevity of Victoria’s important community assets.

To date, $10.25 million in grant funding has been awarded to community organisations and local councils for capital infrastructure projects across Victoria.

The 2013 Small Capital Infrastructure Grants round is open between 18 May to 28 June 2013.

For more information about grants programs offered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, go to: www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

Federal Budget papers confirm Canberra short-changed Victorian hospitals and patients

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:44:47 +10:00

The Commonwealth Budget papers confirm that the Federal Government is stripping $368 million in promised health funding from Victorian health services over the next three years, Minister for Health David Davis said today.

“I was bitterly disappointed to scour through the Commonwealth Budget documents last night and find ‘no ink’ in the spot where Victoria’s health funding should have been,” Mr Davis said.

The lost funding to Victorian health services through these Commonwealth cuts will be as follows:

Budget Cut by the Commonwealth $'000s
2013/14	-$ 99,540
2014/15	-$ 121,630
2015/16	-$ 147,040
Total	-$ 368,210

“This missing money is sorely needed by Victoria’s hospitals to meet community demand for elective surgery and emergency department treatment,” Mr Davis said.

“Despite the record state investment Victorian hospitals will still have less funding from the Commonwealth than they were promised last year.

“The promised funding has been stripped away through a dodgy population fiddle and should have been reinstated in this Commonwealth Budget.

“The Senate inquiry found that “the Commonwealth pursued politically-motivated funding cuts to improve its financial position at the expense of public hospital users,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said over the past two months Canberra had begrudgingly returned $107 million it had taken from Victorian hospitals and patients, but the Federal Budget papers show the balance of the money is not forthcoming.

“The Federal Government restored the previous $107 million as a result of sustained pressure from Victorian hospitals and communities,” Mr Davis said.

“I can assure Prime Minister Gillard and her Health Minister Tanya Plibersek that they will again have a fight on their hands.

“The Coalition Government will stand up for Victoria, and we will not be silenced until the Victorian community receives the health funding it was promised, and is entitled to,” Mr Davis said.

Premier announces two key Victorian Government international appointments

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:43:45 +10:00

Premier Denis Napthine has announced two key international appointments that will strengthen Victorian investment ties, support local exporters and raise the state’s global profile.

Dr Napthine today confirmed the appointments of Wayne Lewis as the Commissioner for Victoria in India, and Geoffrey Conaghan as the Agent-General for Victoria in London.

“The roles of Commissioner and Agent-General are critical in leading and deepening Victoria’s ongoing relationships within key international regions,” Dr Napthine said.

“I am delighted to appoint candidates of the calibre and experience of Mr Lewis and Mr Conaghan to these pivotal roles, which are based in our Bangalore and London offices respectively.

“Both appointees bring a wealth of knowledge to their respective positions, and have an excellent understanding of the work ahead.

“I am confident this insight will result in significant economic benefits, trade links and jobs growth to Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.

Mr Lewis is currently a special advisor to the Victorian Coalition Government, offering strategic advice on India.

He has held a number of senior government roles, including positions at Invest Victoria and Multimedia Victoria, where he worked closely with the Indian information and communication technology industry. Mr Lewis was appointed as the Victorian Government’s first Commissioner to India in November 2005.

Mr Conaghan is currently the Commissioner to India and has held the post since 2009. Mr Conaghan has a strong record of achievement in the aviation and tourism industries, holding senior positions at Melbourne Airport and the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Training Board, as well as having served as a member of the Tourism Victoria Board.

Dr Napthine thanked outgoing Commissioner to India, Mr Conaghan, and former Agent-General for Victoria in London, Sally Capp, for their strong advocacy and leadership during their respective appointments.

Dr Napthine said the Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) network is essential in helping the State to perform strongly in a competitive and challenging international trade and investment environment.

“Victoria’s networks of international business offices are vital in fostering the strong, mutually-productive business, social and cultural relationships we benefit from today,” Dr Napthine said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government understands the value of its VGBO network in facilitating trade and investment, which is why we recently established a new office in Chengdu, China, and announced the reopening of the Jakarta, Indonesia, office.”

For further information about the Victorian Government Business Office network visit www.dsdbi.vic.gov.au or www.invest.vic.gov.au

Scholarships for Aboriginal early years educators in Shepparton

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:42:58 +10:00

Seven early childhood educators at Lulla’s Children and Family Centre will be able to upgrade their qualifications, thanks to scholarships from the Victorian Coalition Government.

Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell today visited Lulla’s to congratulate the recipients of the Early Childhood Scholarships for Aboriginal People.

“Supporting Aboriginal people to work in the early years and complete quality training is key to ensuring that Aboriginal children have the very best possible start to life,” Ms Lovell said.

“As a Shepparton local, I am thrilled to see educators at Lulla’s balancing work and study to upgrade their skills, to the benefit of the children of our community.”

In 2012/2013, 23 scholarships totalling $237,500 were offered to Aboriginal educators to support their studies from Certificate III to early childhood teaching degree level. Scholarships valued at up to $18,000 continue to be offered.

Ms Lovell said that growing the expertise of the early years workforce was vital.

“The early years are the foundation for a child’s learning and development, and quality teaching can make a big difference to a child’s future,” Ms Lovell said.

“Building the capacity of the workforce drives improvement across the whole early years sector.”

In the 2013-2014 Victorian Budget, the Coalition Government also invested an additional $4.5 million in a related scholarship stream for Victorians – the Early Childhood Qualification Fund.

The scholarships range from up to $1,000 for a Certificate III in Children’s Services to $12,000 for an early childhood teaching degree.

Ms Lovell said the Budget commitment builds on the Coalition Government’s $7 million investment in the fund since November 2010, which has provided more than 1,200 scholarships to educators across the state.

More information about the scholarship schemes is available at www.education.vic.gov.au/about/careers/Pages/scholarships.aspx

$3 million for Eastwood Primary School

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:41:57 +10:00

Eastwood Primary School will receive $3 million for new infrastructure under a State Budget commitment announced by the Victorian Coalition Government today.

Education Minister Martin Dixon said the funding will pay for new specialist deaf facilities and replacement of the school’s current administration centre.

“This exciting project will provide high-quality facilities for the children and teaching staff at Eastwood Primary,” Mr Dixon said.

The school is home to the first Deaf Facility of its kind established in Victoria. Established in 1992, the Eastwood Deaf Facility provides primary education for children who are deaf or hearing impaired and who meet the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) eligibility criteria. Children throughout the school are involved in learning sign language, Auslan, as their Language Other Than English (LOTE).

“The Coalition Government has been, and continues to be, a real champion of specialist education, such as that being delivered here at the Eastwood Deaf Facility,” Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon said the $3 million for Eastwood Primary School formed part of $611 million in school capital works delivered since November 2010.

“Students at Eastwood Primary will reap the benefits of the Coalition Government’s strong economic management, which has made this new funding possible,” Mr Dixon said.

“The Coalition Government has set a bold objective – to lift the school system into the global top tier over the next decade.

“To achieve this, the Coalition Government will continue to invest in quality school facilities to ensure students have access to the high-quality learning environments they deserve.”

Member for Kilsyth David Hodgett said the rebuild was a huge win for the Eastwood school community.

“This has been a major issue for a number of years, and it is fantastic news that Eastwood will now get a brand new, state of the art school,” Mr Hodgett said.

“The Eastwood community has united behind this project and I have worked with them closely over the past two years. They thoroughly deserve congratulations for their dedication towards their school, which has helped make this project happen.”

Mr Dixon said the 2013-14 Victorian Budget built on the recent announcement of an initial $51.5 million in funding to repair or rebuild almost 570 buildings at 250 schools, following a state-wide condition assessment of every government school.

“The Coalition Government is developing a long-term project pipeline and a more transparent funding process so schools have more certainty when planning their infrastructure investments,” Mr Dixon said.

Sports to share over $160,000 towards planning better facilities

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:40:56 +10:00

Six Victorian State Sporting Associations (SSAs) will be focusing on planning better community facilities in coming months thanks to a share in $163,000 of funding from the Victorian Coalition Government.

Making the announcement today at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said the funding, through the Community Facility Funding Program, would help a number of State Sporting Associations undertake state-wide community sports facility planning.

The list of grants and recipients are:

Squash Victoria - $18,000 for the Regional Squash Facility Audit;
Gymnastics Victoria - $20,000 for the project will deliver the second phase of the GV strategic facility master plan;
Hockey Victoria - $25,000 for the Hockey Victoria State-wide Strategic Facilities Master Plan;
Yachting Victoria - $25,000 for the State Sailing Facilities Project;
Victorian Rugby League - $35,000 for the Victorian Rugby League (VRL) Facilities Development Plan; and
Cycling Victoria - $40,000 for Planning Cycling Facilities.

“A key objective of the Coalition Government is to help increase participation in sport and recreation, and having quality community facilities in the right places is a key factor,” Mr Delahunty said

“SSAs are central to helping us achieve this goal through the development of strategic facility planning.

“These grants will ensure that SSAs work in partnership with local government authorities and local clubs and associations to plan for the provision of quality community facilities that benefit everyone involved in their sports.

“By developing a strategic approach when it comes to planning sport and recreation facilities, associations can host a wider range of development programs, attract big games and competitions and increase memberships.

“That’s why the Coalition Government is proud to invest in initiatives like these, as they bring even greater benefits to the community by delivering sports facilities that nurture and promote local sport, our talent and events,” Mr Delahunty said.

Victorian councils could be worse off under Constitutional recognition

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:40:34 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government opposes the recognition of local government in the Australia Constitution because Victorian councils could be left worse off.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the Coalition Government could not support a change to the Commonwealth Constitution unless it ensured better outcomes for Victorian communities, legal certainty and greater financial support for the sector.

“We think there is a strong possibility that Victorian councils will be financially disadvantaged by this change. Victoria’s reformed and relatively better performing local government sector could lose money to subsidise poorly performing councils in other states,” Mrs Powell said.

“Victoria already receives an inequitable proportion of the GST and this could be replicated in how the Federal Government funded councils in the future.

“The Commonwealth’s contribution to local government through Financial Assistance Grants fell from 1.02 percent of total Commonwealth taxation revenue in 1996-97, to about 0.65 per cent in 2011-12.

“There is no indication that constitutional recognition will reverse this trend.

“The change will do nothing to protect the current funding levels, and could, in fact, have unexpected repercussions.

“Local Government is already recognised in the Victorian Constitution.

“Changes to the Australian Constitution could blur the roles and responsibilities between the three tiers of government, leading to poorer overall outcomes for our communities.”

“It would be a tragedy if State efforts to clean up governance failings such as at Brimbank were stymied in the courts by lawyers seeking to argue the Commonwealth now had jurisdiction,” Mrs Powell said.

Two Labor Government recommended Federal Referendums on the recognition of local government in the Commonwealth Constitution have been voted down by the Australian public in 1974 and 1988.

“The inclusion of Local Government in the Constitution would advance the principle of centralism to the disadvantage of federalism,” Mrs Powell said.

“More power would be transferred from State Government’s to the Commonwealth and such power may be used by a Commonwealth Government to undermine polices of State Government’s by direct funding of councils to do its bidding.

“This proposed Referendum is more about Federal Labor’s deal with the Greens to cling to power than it is about supporting the important local government sector,” Mrs Powell said.

CCTV cameras for Warrnambool city centre

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:39:32 +10:00

Security in Warrnambool’s late night entertainment precinct will be significantly boosted with funding of $168,000 for the installation of eight CCTV cameras.

The funding was announced in Warrnambool today by Premier Dr Denis Napthine and Crime Prevention Minister Edward O’Donohue.

Dr Napthine said the Victorian Coalition Government had allocated $35 million to its Community Safety Program to enhance community safety across the State.

“An important element of the overall program is the funding we provide to local councils through the Public Safety Infrastructure Fund,” Dr Napthine said.

“The $168,000 we are announcing today for Warrnambool City Council to install eight CCTV cameras is part of $3.1 million that has been allocated in the current round of funding.

“As well as the cameras, the funding will provide for wireless transmission of the video feed and the purchase of a work station and hard drive to monitor and store recorded footage at the Warrnambool police station.”

Dr Napthine said as part of its application for a PSIF grant, Warrnambool City Council had surveyed local residents who had overwhelmingly endorsed the CCTV proposal.

“The council also consulted widely with community groups and they all expressed strong support for installing CCTV cameras to address crime problems in the city centre,” Dr Napthine said.

Mr O’Donohue said Warrnambool City Council was one of 22 councils to benefit from the latest round of PSIF grants.

“We believe the best way to solve local public safety issues is to empower and encourage local solutions and this latest initiative in Warrnambool is a great example of that,” Mr O’Donohue said.

“CCTV cameras can be effective deterrent and monitoring tools and we think it is important that people visiting Warrnambool’s entertainment precinct should be able to enjoy themselves without being subjected to criminal and antisocial behaviour.”

In addition to joining the Premier for the funding announcement, Mr O’Donohue attended the Great South Coast Regional Justice Reference Group meeting in Warrnambool.

A total of 13 reference groups were set up in 2011 across Victoria to support the government’s Community Crime Prevention Program.

“The Great South Coast Regional Justice Reference Group has been doing some great work,” said Mr O’Donohue.

“It has indentified two major areas of concern – violence against women and their children, and youth offending and victimisation.

“The devastating impact of family violence, and violence against women and children more broadly, has been a common theme across all reference groups.”

Mr O’Donohue said it was in response to those concerns that the Coalition Government had allocated $7.2 million for grants to help reduce violence against women and children.

“As a government we are committed to making Victoria safer and regional reference groups empower communities to play an active role in identifying and responding to local safety issues,” Mr O’Donohue said.

For further information on Public Safety Infrastructure Fund grants and other crime prevention initiatives, go to www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au

Environmental ‘blueprints’ help set natural resource priorities for Victoria

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:38:53 +10:00

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith today launched a series of strategies for Victoria’s Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) outlining how they will support the management of the state’s land, water and biodiversity resources over the next six years.

Mr Smith was joined by Member for Benambra Bill Tilley in Corryong for the state-wide launch of Victoria’s 10 CMA Regional Catchment Strategies.

“I’m pleased to launch these strategies, which are the main planning framework for land, water and biodiversity management for the state’s 10 catchment management regions,” Mr Smith said.

“Victoria’s CMAs work closely with landholders and Landcare and environmental groups to develop partnerships and support practical activities that help manage, protect and improve the state’s natural resources.

“These updated strategies draw on valuable local information, knowledge and expertise to inform the strategic direction for Victoria’s natural resource managers and planners.”

The Regional Catchment Strategies identify the current state of the environment and the challenges that are faced at a regional level. Importantly they set out actions to promote improved use and protection of the state’s natural resources, including:

North Central CMA – completing an index of wetland condition assessments and ecological vegetation mapping for all priority wetlands by 2020;
- developing a regional soil health plan by 2014 and a comprehensive state-of-the-art geo-database (soils, geomorphology and geophysics) for use by local soil groups by 2014.
Glenelg Hopkins CMA – reducing the threat of soil acidification and salinity and improving the quality of regional soils;
- Improving preparedness and resilience to floods through upgrading regional warning systems and investment in floodplain waterway management systems,
- tackling pest plants and animals through the Glenelg Alliance.

Wimmera CMA – will review, update and implement the Lake Albacutya Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan;
- ensure current biosecurity measures adequately address disease threats;
- establish and maintain a regional threatened species advisory committee.

West Gippsland CMA – will support the rehabilitation of areas of the fragile 90 Mile Beach dune system; and
- undertake an investigation of the role and management of nitrogen on water quality in the Gippsland Lakes system.

“The Victorian Coalition Government recognises the need to balance natural resource management priorities including the protection of biodiversity values and water quality with the needs of agricultural production, manufacturing and other regional economies,” Mr Smith said.

“These strategies incorporate community know-how and the latest available knowledge and information that can be applied to the management of our valuable land to support food production, water quality and biodiversity vales in each and every part of Victoria.”

Getting more Victorian kids under cover

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:37:58 +10:00

Minister for Housing Wendy Lovell today visited a Mooroopna family to see first hand the work done by charity Kids Under Cover (KUC) which was allocated more than $2 million over the next two years, in the 2013-14 Victorian Budget.

The funding for KUC is part of a $73.6 million package of measures delivered in the Budget, to tackle homelessness and support vulnerable Victorians.

“Kids Under Cover will receive funding of $2.2 million over the next two years to build 30 studio-style homes across Victoria for young people at risk,” Ms Lovell said.

“The property we’re visiting here in Mooroopna today is an example of the quality units Kids Under Cover delivers to families in need.”

Ms Lovell said dealing with homelessness was becoming more challenging.

“We need fresh solutions to an increasingly complex problem, so I’m delighted to have secured this funding for Kids Under Cover,” Ms Lovell said.

“Our funding will be used to build one or two bedroom studios, each with their own bathroom, on the grounds of the family or carer’s home, using environmentally friendly materials.

“Importantly, this initiative supports regional Victorian jobs, with the units developed at Ortech’s manufacturing plant in Bendigo,” Ms Lovell said.

Kids Under Cover, which was established in 1998, builds homes and provides scholarships for homeless and at risk young people aged 12 to 25.

The studios can be relocated to help another family when they are no longer needed. Typically a studio is relocated four to five times over its 25 year lifetime.

Ms Lovell said the new funding was an important part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s use of flexible and innovative ways of tackling homelessness through its Victorian Homelessness Action Plan: 2011-2015.

“The work carried out by Kids Under Cover is proactive, not reactive,” Ms Lovell said.

“Kids Under Cover is also involved in the ‘Detour’ pilot program, funded through the Homelessness Action Plan, and currently running in partnership with Melbourne Citymission and Uniting Care.”

Coalition support for freshwater research centre

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:37:27 +10:00

Minister for Water Peter Walsh has reinforced the Victorian Coalition Government’s contribution of $30.65 million to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, during a visit to the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre today.

Mr Walsh said the Coalition Government’s contribution to the MDBA’s joint programs budget would help to ensure the Mildura-based research centre could continue operation.

“The research centre, a funding beneficiary of the MDBA, provides information that helps manage environmental watering for the benefit of Murray-Darling Basin species and ecosystems,” Mr Walsh said.

“The centre has strong connections with Mildura and the wider regional community and with other agencies.

The centre also has strong knowledge of key Basin sites including Lindsay Island, Hattah Lakes and Mulcra Island.

“MDBA funding directed to the research centre will go towards research and monitoring work, including helping to guide decisions on the best use of water recovered through the Living Murray project for use at these iconic sites.

“The funding will also help the centre improve knowledge of rivers and floodplains, and in turn this knowledge will be shared with natural resource managers in Victoria and at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

“This work will help improve the ability to respond rapidly to occurrences such as large-scale blackwater events,” Mr Walsh said.

The Victorian Coalition Government’s 2013-14 Budget also includes $3 million for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to develop modelling over three years to minimise the complexity of water sharing arrangements, and ensure the maximum volume of offsets is identified.

“The Victorian Government believes a practical Murray-Darling Basin Plan can achieve environmental improvements with smarter use of less water, which will ease the impact on communities and jobs,” Mr Walsh said.

The Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre is a partnership of agencies including the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, CSIRO Land & Water and La Trobe University. The centre employs 47 research, technical and administrative staff in Wodonga and Mildura.

La Trobe University Vice Chancellor Professor John Dewar welcomed the renewed commitment of the State Government to the work of the research centre.

“For the last 25 years staff at the research centre have worked closely with decision makers at all levels of government, providing them with top quality research and advice to ensure the long-term health and sustainable use of rivers and flood plains right through the Murray-Darling Basin,” Professor Dewar said.

“I welcome the support of Water Minister Peter Walsh for the continuation of this centre and the part it plays in securing a strong future for our food, water and the environment in the years to come.”

World first bushfire planning technology

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:36:19 +10:00

Planning Minister Matthew Guy today launched world first technology to help people build safer and more fire-resilient homes.

“Developed for the Alpine Shire Council in north-east Victoria, the new iPad App uses cloud technology to determine the slope of the land and lowest bushfire attack level,” Mr Guy said.

“While on site, council officers can provide landowners with information about construction requirements and the necessary defendable space in just 10 seconds.”

The App communicates with a remote server via cloud technology to process the calculations and produce up to four plans that the landowner can use when applying for a planning permit.

“Land use planning, which takes into account natural hazard risks, is the single most important mitigation measure in preventing future disaster losses in areas of new development,” Mr Guy said.

A total of 173 people lost their lives in the 2009 bushfires and more than 2,000 homes were destroyed.

Through this funding the Coalition Government is enabling councils to identify and mitigate bushfire risk at a local level.

To date the Coalition Government has provided $3.2 million in funding to 27 councils to ensure that future development in bushfire prone areas is more fire resilient.

“The funding has been directed to various projects relating to strategic planning around bushfire risk and mitigation; planning compliance to make communities safer; and implementing bushfire planning provisions,” Mr Guy said.

Member for Benalla Bill Sykes endorsed the new technology.

“This is a fantastic example of thinking laterally and using modern technology to provide a simple solution to what had been a complex problem. The App enables the iPad to communicate with a remote server to process the calculations to determine bushfire risk and planning requirements,” Mr Sykes said.

The new technology also reduces the cost and time in planning for bushfires and increases resilience to bushfires within the Alpine Shire. The technology may also be utilised by other municipalities following interest from councils in Victoria and interstate.

The Alpine Shire Council iPad App was developed with funding from the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Recycled water flowing to 2,000 Pakenham homes

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:49:01 +10:00

Another 2,000 Victorian homes can now use recycled water on their gardens and for flushing toilets, following a $22 million upgrade to the Pakenham Water Recycling Plant.

Touring the treatment plant today, Water Minister Peter Walsh said the upgrade had reduced demand on drinking water supplies by delivering Class A recycled water to several Pakenham and Officer estates.

“South East Water’s upgrade of the Pakenham Treatment Plant will produce four megalitres per day, or 1.46 gigalitres per year, of Class A recycled water,” Mr Walsh said.

“This project means another 2,000 households will join the growing number of Melburnians using Class A recycled water.

“This is an important project for Melbourne’s south east, which is one of our state’s busiest growth corridors. Providing an alternative water option for residents is a sensible and environmentally friendly outcome for the people of Pakenham and Officer.

“Using recycled water alleviates pressure on our precious drinking water supplies, and it also reduces the amount of wastewater that would otherwise enter our waterways, such as Western Port Bay.”

Lakeside Square shopping centre has also connected its toilets to the recycled water supply and, during his visit to Pakenham, Mr Walsh met with locals at the centre who were attending an information day about how they can safely use their new recycled water supply.

South East Water Managing Director Kevin Hutchings said the water retailer was committed to increasing the use of Class A recycled water for non-drinking purposes.

“Not every water use requires premium grade drinking water. It’s about finding the right water source for the right purpose – and Class A recycled water is a great option for outdoor use and toilet flushing,” Mr Hutchings said.

All households in the Eden Brook, Amberlea, Cardinia Village, Aspect and Arena estates, as well as Caversham Waters and Devonia Park homes in the Lakeside Pakenham estate, now receive Class A recycled water through their purple pipes for use outdoors and for toilet flushing.

Remaining estates in Pakenham and Officer will begin to receive recycled water in the coming years, as additional infrastructure is built to connect them to the recycled water network.

The Pakenham Water Recycling Plant will continue to supply Class C water to surrounding farmers and businesses in Melbourne’s south east for food production and commercial use.

New feed mill to boost Gippsland livestock sector

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:48:18 +10:00

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh today officially opened a new stockfeed mill in Pakenham that will produce more than 180,000 tonnes of feed every year.

Mr Walsh said the establishment of the $12.8 million mill demonstrated Ridley AgriProducts’ confidence in the growth of Gippsland, in particular the dairy, beef and sheep sectors.

“Ridley’s multi-million dollar investment in this new state-of-the-art, energy efficient mill demonstrates confidence in the sustainable growth of Gippsland, a confidence which the Victorian Coalition Government shares,” Mr Walsh said.

“Dairy is the highest value agribusiness industry in the Gippsland region and is vital to the region’s economy and future growth.

“In 2011/12 the Gippsland dairy industry produced 22 per cent of the national milk production – more than 2.1 billion litres.

“The Gippsland region also has a significant grazing and meat processing industry based predominantly on beef, but also wool and prime lamb production.

“The additional 180,000 tonnes of feed this new mill will produce for the Gippsland and wider region will allow livestock businesses to expand further and better secure feed supply,” Mr Walsh said.

During the last 25 years Ridley AgriProducts has played a key role in the growth of Gippsland’s poultry, dairy, beef and sheep industries.

It has supplied high-quality stock feed and nutritional products from its stock feed milling facilities at Pakenham, Dandenong and Maffra. The new plant is producing a combination of either steam conditioned pellets or cracked grain and protein meal feeds for dairy cattle, beef and sheep.

“This million-dollar investment in Victoria’s food and fibre sector makes a significant positive statement about the industry’s future,” Mr Walsh said.

“Victoria is already Australia’s leading exporter of food and fibre products with exports worth almost $9 billion in 2011/2012 and there are many more gains to be made.

“I have set the ambitious goal for Victoria’s food and fibre producers to double production by 2030 and developments like this new mill will help them to achieve that goal.”

Plibersek – biggest funding cutter in the history of Australian Health Ministers

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:47:40 +10:00

The Federal Government continues to bend the truth when comparing its own health funding with Victoria’s commitments, Minister for Health David Davis said today.

Mr Davis said Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek demonstrated her lack of economic understanding every time she claimed that Victoria’s funding had gone down – it did not – and Canberra’s had gone up.

“If Ms Plibersek was an accountant she would have been hauled before the professional board by now to explain her creative calculations and would have been expelled for her fundamental ignorance of budgets and balance sheets, and for failing to apply consistent standards,” Mr Davis said.

“Fresh from her bungling of the demographic statistics and her claim that Victoria’s population is falling, Ms Plibersek is now looking at Victoria’s responsible Budget and claiming that our health funding has been reduced when she is the one cutting.

“Victoria’s spending has increased. If Ms Plibersek applied her own accounting practices to the Federal Government, you would see the Gillard Labor Government has cut health funding by $6.82 billion for the period 2010 to 2016.

“That equates to $1.7 billion in Commonwealth cuts for Victoria – and we want our money back,” Mr Davis said.

The Federal Government has announced $5.29 billion in savings, plus its $1.62 billion cut to the Health Specific Purpose Payment announced in the Mid-Year Economic & Fiscal Outlook 2012/13. The Gillard Government has since been forced to return $107 million to Victoria for 2012-13.

The Gillard Government has cut:

$50.2 million from Victoria in 2012-13 from elective surgery and emergency department treatment under the National Partnership Agreement for Improving Public Hospital Services;
$128 million nationally from the Telehealth rebate affecting patients in outer metropolitan areas – restricting access to medical consultations;
$1.1 billion nationally through changes to private health insurance, which is likely to increase the demand on public hospitals;
$144 million to the Health and Hospital Fund – cutting investment in regional health infrastructure;
$85 million reduction in the Practice Incentive Program, reducing support for general practice;
$136.6 million reduction in the Hearing Services Program;
$230 million for Victorian dental patients in 2012-13 alone through the cessation of Medicare funding for the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme and the Teen Dental Program; and
$18.2 million for General Practice Rural Incentives Program, a program that encouraged GPs to practice in rural and remote communities.

“If you look through this year’s Victorian Budget papers you will see that the Coalition Government will invest a record $14.3 billion in health in 2013-14 to treat more patients and manage the increasing pressure on the system,” Mr Davis said.

“The Victorian Budget delivers an extra $661 million this coming financial year, bringing total health funding to $14.3 billion and investing $629.3 million on new health capital projects.

“This is a responsible State Budget which will see Victoria building for growth and going forward, both with health spending and the State as a whole.

“Even if health is protected in the Commonwealth budget tonight, the Federal health cuts have already been delivered.

“Tanya Plibersek would win the award for Australia’s biggest funding cutting Health Minister in Australian history, handing more money back to treasury than any former Australian Health Minister,” Mr Davis said.

$35,000 boost delivers showcase of leading equestrian events to Melbourne

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:46:47 +10:00

Victoria’s premier equestrian venue, Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, is set to deliver a top line-up of equestrian events in the coming months starting with the 2013 Melbourne International 3 Day Event in June followed by the 2013 Australian Showjumping Championships in September.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty was today at the Centre to announce a $35,000 Victorian Coalition Government funding package from the Significant Sporting Events Program to kick-start both events.

“The Coalition Government is committed to maintaining, developing and attracting top sporting events and athletes to Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

“These prestigious equestrian events provide the perfect platform for aspiring world champions to impress for national team selection and earn the ultimate honour to compete in future world championships and Olympics.

“The Werribee Park Precinct and the Equestrian Centre will deliver an electrifying atmosphere providing the ideal venue to showcase some of the most challenging and exciting equestrian sports, including elite dressage, cross country and showjumping.”

Mr Delahunty said the 2013 Melbourne International 3 Day Event would be held from 6-10 June and the 2013 Australian Showjumping Championships from 19-22 September.

“Events such as these attract many visitors to Victoria, provide a stimulus for the economy and showcase riders whose performances help to inspire more people to take sports participation to a whole new level,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Through initiatives like the Significant Sporting Events Program we can work together to develop and support a wide range of events such as these popular and growing equestrian events that help keep Victoria in the national and international spotlight.”

For more information about the Significant Sporting Events Program go to www.sport.vic.gov.au

More than $15 million for Ferntree Gully schools

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:45:33 +10:00

Four primary schools at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges will share $15.2 million in infrastructure funding, the Victorian Coalition Government announced today.

Speaking at Ferntree Gully North Primary School, Premier Denis Napthine said the Government was continuing to deliver on its election commitments by announcing this important funding today for four schools.

“These projects are exciting for local school communities and will provide much-needed new facilities,” Dr Napthine said.

Today’s funding announcements include:

Ferntree Gully North Primary School – $4.5 million to construct new learning spaces, administration centre and multipurpose facilities.
Fairhills Primary School – $4 million for a new resource centre and refurbishment of existing buildings.
Mountain Gate Primary School – $2.7 million to demolish some existing buildings and build new administration facilities, classrooms, hard courts and car park.
Wattle View Primary School – $4 million to demolish old facilities and build new administration areas and classrooms.

“These school modernisations will give current and future students and teachers access to state-of-the-art facilities,” Dr Napthine said.
Member for Ferntree Gully Nick Wakeling said the announcement built on $8 million in the 2012-13 Budget for the Eastern Ranges School in Ferntree Gully, $300,000 for the Mountain Gate Primary School and $15 million for the Boronia K-12 school.

“I am very proud to be part of the Coalition Government that has now invested $38.5 million in local schools, the largest investment in local schools in a generation,” Mr Wakeling said.
Minister for Education Martin Dixon said the $15.2 million for the four schools formed part of $203 million in school capital works delivered in the 2013-14 State Budget.
“This brings the total investment in school capital works to $611 million, delivered since December 2010,” Mr Dixon said.
“The Victorian Government is targeting investment to the highest priority projects, constructing five new schools in Melbourne’s growth corridors and delivering on our election commitments.
“This Budget builds on the recent announcement of an initial $51.5 million in funding to repair, rebuild or remove about 570 buildings at 250 schools, following a statewide condition assessment of every government school,” Mr Dixon said.

New online ads to target hoons

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:44:50 +10:00

Online and radio advertisements warning hoons of the consequences of high risk driving behaviour will be airing from today, with the first of new “hoon school” courses expected to be undertaken in coming months.

Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said the awareness campaign, beginning Tuesday 14 May, was targeted to online sites and radio that attracted primarily men under 40, a group shown by VicRoads research to be the target audience for hoon offence warnings.

Mr Mulder said the ads warned drivers and riders that they will be swapping their car seat for a seat at one of the venues where the six providers are conducting VicRoads Safe Driving Courses.

“These courses cost up to $1,100 and the hoons themselves will be paying to attend,” Mr Mulder said.

“That’s on top of other penalties which now apply, including higher fines and impoundment fees, bringing the financial outlay to around $5,000.

“That is a significant amount of money and on top of losing your car or bike, it’s really hitting these hoons where it hurts the most.

“We know that hoons won’t respond to traditional advertising, so VicRoads has targeted websites and video clips they are most likely to view to warn them that they will be required to attend a safe driving course,” Mr Mulder said.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Robert Hill said more than 21,000 vehicles had now been impounded since hoon laws came into effect in July 2006.

“We’ve seized a wide range of vehicles from brand new BMWs and Mercedes, to older Commodores and motorcycles and just about every make and model in between,” Assistant Commissioner Hill said.

“We know that impounding vehicles deprives a hoon of the thing they most need to continue their high risk behaviour – their vehicle.

“In 2012, there was an increase in the number of vehicles impounded; 4,378, up from 3,856 in 2011.

“We are pleased that there will be the additional punishment available for these hoon drivers, at the discretion of the courts, of attendance at a VicRoads Safe Driving Course at their own expense.

“Our data shows that hoon driving is not just a problem in metropolitan Melbourne, there are many regional centres which have similar issues.

“Our state and local highway patrols conduct large scale operations across the state to target these drivers and riders who continue to endanger themselves and other road users.

“We know the community is sick and tired of hoon drivers and we urge them to dob in hoon behaviour to the Crime Stoppers Hoon Hotline on 1800 333 000 so we can follow it up,” Assistant Commissioner Hill said.

To view the VicRoads Safe Driving Program advertisement visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irE2R41stLE&feature=player_embedded

Federal funding fiasco hurts Victorian Hospitals

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:43:55 +10:00

The impact of Federal health funding cuts continues to hurt Victorian hospitals and patients, Minister for Health David Davis said today.

Releasing the March 2013 Victorian Health Services Performance Report, Mr Davis said Canberra ripped $61.2 million from Victoria’s hospitals over four months from last December, then did a back-flip under intense pressure from Victorian health services and communities.

It then took the Commonwealth another month to begin to repay the lost money and two months for several health services to receive their money.

“This four months of Federal funding cuts has impacted on the amount of elective surgery our hospitals have been able to perform in the first three months of this year,” Mr Davis said.

“As a result of what a Senate inquiry called ‘extraordinary and indefensible politically-motivated cuts’, Victoria’s patients have been harmed.

“The Senate inquiry vindicated Victoria’s position on the funding fight, and exposed the fundamental flaws and political motivation of the position taken by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her Health Minister Tanya Plibersek.

“Those cuts followed on from the mid-2012 discontinuation of a key component of the National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services, which meant an immediate $50 million reduction in Federal funds for elective surgery and emergency department activity from 1 July 2013.

“And the pain may not yet be over for hospitals and patients, as the Federal Government is still pushing through with its intention to strip a further $368 million of promised funding from Victorian hospital funding over the next three years,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said the Victorian Health Services Performance Report showed that elective surgery waiting lists had increased from 45, 804 at the end of March 2012 to 50,565 at the end of March this year.

However, hospitals had maintained their record in treating all Category 1 urgent patients within 30 days, and the median time to treatment of all elective surgery patients of 39 days was an improvement on the 42 day median a year earlier.

Despite the pressure of the Federal funding cuts, hospitals have been able to maintain their performance in treating patients through the emergency department.

The March 2013 Victorian Health Services Performance Report shows:

hospitals treated 100 per cent of Category 1 emergency patients immediately upon their arrival;
84 per cent of Category 2 patients were treated within 10 minutes of arrival, maintaining the standard of the previous three months;
74 per cent of Category 3 patients were treated within the benchmark 30 minutes, up from 73 per cent in the previous quarter;
71 per cent of non-urgent Category 4 patients were treated within an hour of arrival, up from 68 per cent; and
89 per cent of Category 5 patients received their treatment within two hours, up from 87 per cent.

“Overall, our hospitals treated 75 per cent of patients within the benchmark times, which is an improvement on the 73 per cent treatment level three months earlier,” Mr Davis said.

“More than half of all emergency department patients were treated within 19 minutes of arrival, which is an improvement by one minute on the previous quarter.”

In the March 2013 quarter, there was an increase of 1,442 patients attending an emergency department compared to the same period a year earlier.

Mr Davis said the March Performance Report demonstrated the harm that politically-motivated Federal funding cuts were having on Victoria’s hospitals, particularly elective surgery.

“I call on the Gillard Government to abandon its plan to cut $368 million from Victoria’s health funding over the next three years,” Mr Davis said.

“More and more Victorians will have their elective surgery delayed unless this cruel funding cut is reversed.”

Report gives a first ever clear picture on outpatient waits

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:42:03 +10:00

For the first time, Victoria has a clear stocktake on Labor’s performance in outpatients, which showed a chaotic system where no one knew what was going on, with a disparate and detached collection system, Minister for Health David Davis said today.

Releasing the report of the Expert Panel on Waiting List Management, Mr Davis said Victoria would help hospitals streamline patients through their initial consultations and on to treatment or elective surgery.

Mr Davis also released the first quarterly data for six major hospitals, with more hospitals to progressively come on line as they implement new recording and reporting systems.

The expert panel, chaired by Audit Expert and Eastern Health Director Stuart Alford, comprised of Latrobe Regional Hospital CEO Peter Craighead and Melbourne Health clinical leader Associate Professor Daryl Williams. Mr Alford is also chair of the audit committee of the Australian Accounting Standards Board.

The panel captured a snapshot of point-in-time data as at June 30 2011.

The panel found almost 80,000 patients were waiting for an initial specialist clinic appointment, and around 340,000 had already received one or more treatments or consultations in outpatients, either before or after operations or having conditions which did not require surgery.

The panel also studied other elective procedures that are not counted on the surgery list in State or national reporting, such as endoscopies, cardiology, radiology, caesarean sections and organ transplants.

“The release of this report honours a Coalition election promise to carry out a full State-wide audit of Victoria’s hospital waiting lists, and to uncover and address Labor’s hidden waiting lists in outpatient clinics,” Mr Davis said.

“The previous Labor Government never collected outpatient waiting data, and so the true time that patients had to wait between being referred to a specialist and receiving their surgery was never known.

“However, the Coalition Government is committed to open and transparent information on our health system, in order to improve it.

“You can only improve the system if you know what the issues and problems are, and the Coalition Government has taken that step with outpatients,” Mr Davis said.

Findings of the Expert Panel report show that the median waiting time across all health services and specialties at 30 June 2011 was 114 days. Among health services assessed as having high data reliability, the median wait time for some specialties was even longer. For example, the median wait time for allergy clinics was 273 days, or almost nine months.

“I commend Victoria’s hospitals and health services for their support and co-operation in compiling information. Outpatient data was not accurate and not complete because hospitals in the past had not been required to record it,” Mr Davis said.

The Coalition Government’s quarterly update of the Victorian Health Services Performance website uses measures and criteria that are consistent with agreed national standards. Since July last year, the Coalition Government has required hospitals to compile accurate outpatient information.

The Specialist Clinics Quarterly Activity & Wait Time Report, for the September 2012 quarter, compiled statistics for the first quarter after this requirement.

It showed median waits of just eight to 16 days for the three hospitals reporting on cardiothoracic specialist clinics.

Many people seeking outpatient appointments are not waiting for elective surgery, as specialist clinics also provide a range of medical, maternity, paediatric and allied health services.

Of the 2.58 million appointments in specialist clinics in 2011/12, just 29 per cent were waiting for surgical specialties, including orthopaedics. The rest were in medical, allied health, paediatric, obstetrics and gynaecology clinics.

Even in surgical specialties, not all patients go on to surgery, with estimates suggesting that the proportion of patients needing operations is as low as 5 to 15 per cent in some specialties.

Deputy Premier pushes local produce

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:39:39 +10:00

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan has written to all Victorian Coalition Government Ministers, asking that they “ensure government departments and agencies, where possible and practical, purchase Victorian and Australian produced food products”.

The move is in response to increased pressure on regional and rural communities and imported food squeezing local producers. Shepparton canned fruit company SPC recently announced it would reduce intake of pears, peaches and apricots.

“The Coalition Government can’t fix the high Australian dollar or stop cheap imports from flooding supermarket shelves,” Mr Ryan said.

“But as consumers, we can ensure we buy Victorian and Australian grown food – not just to protect local jobs, but because locally grown food is the cleanest, greenest and of the best quality anywhere in the world.

“When you buy Victorian and Australian produced food, you can be sure it was produced to the highest environmental standards anywhere in the world; that the farm workers were paid a reasonable wage; that the water used to grow the food was clean and that the growers have adhered to strict chemical use rules.”

Mr Ryan’s letter requests Ministers to “encourage agencies within your portfolio to purchase locally produced food in preference to imported products”.

Mr Ryan said agencies or companies which had difficulty sourcing local products could get assistance and advice from the Industry Capability Network – an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Coalition Government which helps Australian companies to buy local, as well as helping them maximise their export opportunities.

“The Coalition Government is actively encouraging all Victorians to ‘buy local’ by giving preference to locally made products and locally produced food,” Mr Ryan said.

“This keeps manufacturing jobs in Victoria and Australia; keeps farmers on the land and ensures consumers get the best quality product on the planet.”

Young people to Change It Up in Shepparton

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:30:48 +10:00

Announcing the first four Change It Up workshops taking place in regional Victoria, Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith has praised the enthusiasm of young people in helping drive positive change in their communities.

Change It Up is a partnership between the Victorian Coalition Government and the Foundation for Young Australians and encourages young people aged 16-19 to get involved in determining the future of their local communities.

“I’m delighted to be able to announce the first four communities participating in the Change It Up project will involve young people from Ballarat, Wodonga, Shepparton and South Gippsland,” Mr Smith said.

“Twenty young people in each of these four communities will have the opportunity to have a voice and act on the issues that are important to them.

“The participants will take part in a weekend-long workshop and events to develop and refine their ideas about change in their local area.

“They will then pitch their ideas for change to local businesses, council and community representatives, with the best idea receiving a $1,000 investment from the community to develop it further.”

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell welcomed the announcement that 20 young people in the Shepparton region would be among the first to take part in the program.

“Supporting the Change It Up program is an important part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to helping young people feel connected to their local communities. The more connected and valued they are, the more likely they are to study, work and stay in their local community,” Mrs Powell said.

CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians Jan Owen AM congratulated the communities of Ballarat, Wodonga, Shepparton and South Gippsland for backing the ideas and abilities of their young people to create change.

“Young people have a huge contribution to make and these communities have recognised that,” Ms Owen said.

Mr Smith said the expansion of the Change It Up program highlighted the Coalition Government’s commitment to creating partnerships between state and local government, business and not-for-profit organisations to benefit young people and rural communities.

“The idea of local engagement and empowerment that underpins this program is an important element of our Youth Statement: Engage Involve, Create,” Mr Smith said.

The Foundation for Young Australians will also receive $90,000 in Coalition Government funding for a one day forum at the end of each year, where all Change It Up alumni will join together, network, share stories and pitch ideas for change to a range of decision makers.

A further six communities will participate in Change It Up in 2013, including Buloke, Mildura and Murrindindi.

For more information on Change It Up visit www.fya.org.au/initiatives/change-it-up or contact Alissa Phillips, Change It Up Program Manager at alissa.phillips@fya.org.au This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Shepparton workshop details:
May 25 to 27
Pitch Up Venue Eastbank Centre, Shepparton

Young people to Change It Up in South Gippsland

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:44:27 +10:00

“Twenty young people in each of these four communities will have the opportunity to have a voice and act on the issues that are important to them.

“The participants will take part in a weekend-long workshop and events to develop and refine their ideas about change in their local area.

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan welcomed the announcement that 20 young people from the region will be among the first to take part in the program.

“The Change It Up program is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to develop leadership skills and play an even greater role in helping shaping their communities,” Mr Ryan said.

“Young people have a huge contribution to make and these communities have recognised that,” Ms Owen said.
Mr Smith said the expansion of the Change It Up program highlighted the Coalition Government’s commitment to creating partnerships between state and local government, business and not-for-profit organisations to benefit young people and rural communities.

“The idea of local engagement and empowerment that underpins this program is an important element of our Youth Statement: Engage Involve, Create,” Mr Smith said.

A further six communities will participate in Change It Up in 2013, including Buloke, Mildura and Murrindindi.

South Gippsland workshop details:

May 25-27 – Memorial Hall, corner McCartin Street and Michael Place, Leongatha. Pitch Up venue: Council Chambers, Memorial Hall Complex, Michael Place entry.

World Jersey Cattle event a boost for the industry

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:43:42 +10:00

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh will tonight officially open the annual council meeting of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau in Inverloch.

Mr Walsh, representing Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, said the economic opportunities that would arise from the conference were vital for Jersey breeders and companies, and for Victoria’s economy and dairy industry as a whole.

“The gathering of Jersey breeders from 33 member countries gives local producers the chance to network, sell Jersey embryos and semen, and showcase the latest in genomic technology,” Mr Walsh said.

“Jerseys are known around the world for their high-quality of fat, protein and easy milking, and for their ability to adapt to different climates and conditions.”

Mr Walsh said the dairy industry is Victoria’s largest export sector, producing 66 per cent of Australia’s milk and exporting almost $2 billion worth of products last financial year.

“Global demand for food and fibre is expected to double over the next few decades and agriculture industries will need to continue to adopt new technologies and innovations in order to help meet this demand,” Mr Walsh said.

“I have set the ambitious goal for Victorian farmers to double food and fibre production by 2030. The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to supporting the continued development of Victoria’s agricultural and food industries and helping farmers improve their productivity and competitiveness.

“Last week I announced $4.7 million has been budgeted for the next two years to protect the livestock industry from serious disease, in particular the devastating foot-and-mouth disease.

“The Coalition Government has also committed $61.4 million for Growing Food and Fibre over four years and with our leadership role in RD&E we are investing $14.3 million over four years, and $3.7 million a year ongoing, to boost dairy industry productivity and profitability.

“Scientists at the National Centre for Dairy Research at Ellinbank DEPI are also working to enhance feed conversion efficiency and are developing new forage systems and grazing management strategies.

“We are engaging with industry, right along the value chain, to achieve faster productivity growth and more competitive industries.”

New Strategy puts a roof over the heads of Melburnians while protecting threatened species

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:42:46 +10:00

Victoria’s new Biodiversity Conservation Strategy will result in more Melburnians having a place to call their own while ensuring our threatened species also have somewhere to live.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith said the strategy would see almost $1 billion go to support the establishment of new conservation reserves and protection for native vegetation and species, at the same time unlocking billions of dollars worth of housing investment and several thousand construction jobs.

The strategy is crucial to the future expansion of Melbourne’s four growth corridors – the Western Growth Corridor; Sunbury Growth Corridor; North Growth Corridor and South-East Growth Corridor – 28 existing precincts and two major transport projects – the Outer Metro Transport Corridor and the Regional Rail Link.

“A key focus of the strategy is the establishment of a transparent and consistent cost recovery model to help mitigate any potential impacts on native vegetation and species as Victorian’s housing needs continue to grow,” Mr Smith said.

“Under the strategy, developers of land released within Melbourne’s growth corridors will contribute nearly $1 billion over 30 years to protect threatened flora and fauna.

“In addition to protecting the environment, the housing market will also benefit with forecast savings of around $500 million in costs through a more streamlined environmental approvals process.

“The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is a win for the environment and a win for the state economy, as it sets out clear and consistent rules and standards for biodiversity conservation in the growth corridors.

“The strategy will establish a cost structure that provides certainty for developers in their planning and decision-making and ensures we have sufficient funds to create the Western Grasslands Reserve – right on Melbourne’s doorstep and are able to establish new conservation reserves and public open space.

“The strategy will deliver to Victorians a natural reserve that will be available for people to enjoy for generations to come and more than 30 important conservation reserves spread throughout the urban growth corridors.

“Threatened species need habitat, so we are making decisions now to set aside land for them at the same time as we are planning to meet the needs of Melbourne’s families for housing and open space within the city’s growth areas.

“By approaching threatened species conservation in this way we can protect land for conservation and open space in these growing areas, while providing greater transparency and certainty for the developers..”

The strategy will result in:

The establishment of 36 conservation reserves within the Urban Growth Boundary comprising about 5,700 hectares, including around 3,000 hectares of land along major waterways to protect and restore habitat for the Growling Grass Frog;
1,260 hectares of new reserves outside the Urban Growth Boundary across rural Victoria;
The establishment of the 15,000 hectare Western Grasslands Reserve that extends from Mt Cottrell, south east of Melton to north of Little River, west of Werribee;
The creation of a 1,200 hectare grassy woodland reserve
The development of sub-regional strategies and protection targets for species including the Growling Grass Frog, Golden Sun Moth, Spiny Rice-flower and the Matted Flax-lily. A sub-regional strategy is also being developed for the Southern Brown Bandicoot.

Mr Smith said the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy was critical in ensuring future large scale projects can proceed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

“This landmark strategy will deliver on Victoria’s future infrastructure and growth needs and will ensure our environmental and conservation values are protected for future generations,” Mr Smith said.

The Coalition Government will now seek approval from the Commonwealth Government.

For more information visit http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/land-management/land/native-vegetation-home/melbourne-strategic-assessment

Young people to Change It Up in Wodonga

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:41:15 +10:00

Mr Smith announced in February this year $540,000 in Coalition Government funding to expand the Change It Up program to support 30 rural and regional communities. Each of the communities will receive $15,000 to organise a range of leadership development activities.
“I’m delighted to be able to announce that the first four communities participating in the Change It Up project will involve young people from Ballarat, Wodonga, Shepparton and South Gippsland,” Mr Smith said.

“Twenty young people in each of these four communities will have the opportunity to have a voice and act on the issues that are important to them.

“The participants will take part in a weekend-long workshop and events to develop and refine their ideas about change in their local area.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley welcomed the announcement that young people in the Wodonga area would be among the first to take part in the program.

“It is especially pleasing that 20 young people from our region will be able to benefit from this exciting program, which is focused on youth leadership and better connecting young people with their local communities so they are more likely to stay here,” Mr Tilley said.

“Young people have a huge contribution to make and these communities have recognised that,” Ms Owen said.

“The idea of local engagement and empowerment that underpins this program is an important element of our Youth Statement: Engage Involve, Create,” Mr Smith said.

A further six communities will participate in Change It Up in 2013, including Buloke, Mildura and Murrindindi.

Wodonga workshop details:

May 25 to 27 – Workshop on Saturday and Sunday at Baranduda Community Centre. Pitch it Up session on Monday at Wodonga Council Chambers

Coalition supports small retail national conference

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:39:58 +10:00

Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher today announced the Victorian Coalition Government’s support of the National Mainstreet Australia Conference 2013.

The Coalition Government has provided $15,000 in funding for the biennial event, which brings together representatives from main street retail businesses, trader associations and local government.

“The Coalition Government is proud to sponsor this conference, which raises the profile of our local retail precincts as vibrant community hubs,” Ms Asher said.

“This year’s theme, ‘New Challenges, New Opportunities, New Values’, reflects the changes in our communities and how they affect local retail precincts, shopping strips and traditional main streets.

“The conference is an important forum for businesses, trader associations and councils to network, share ideas, raise issues and find solutions to some of the challenges facing smaller retailers in high streets and town centres as they adapt to changes in the retail sector.

Representing Minister Asher at the conference today, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business Russell Northe said that retail is the second largest employer in the state and the Coalition Government recognises that retail is often the lifeblood of many communities across Melbourne and rural and regional Victoria.

“Mainstreet Australia plays a vital support and advocacy role for small retail businesses. To ensure that community retail precincts continue to prosper, the Coalition Government has partnered with Mainstreet on the delivery of training programs through our $6 million Streetlife initiative over the next four years,” Mr Northe said.

“Streetlife assists trader associations and councils to work hand-in-hand with small retailers on projects designed to revitalise shopfront activity in their local business districts.”

Under the first round of Streetlife funding, 32 councils and business or traders associations around the state were offered individual grants totalling more than $500,000.

Applications for round two of Streetlife grants will open later in May this year.

“The Streetlife grants assist local retailers in practical ways, helping them adjust to changing consumer patterns and a shifting retail environment by adopting more sustainable business practices and better marketing strategies.

…

“Mainstreet Australia will offer online tools, resources and professional development sessions around Victoria to upskill retailers and provide strategies for improving the overall performance of main streets across the state.”

The National Mainstreet Australia Conference began yesterday at Federation Square and will run through to 15 May 2013.

For more information, go to www.aomevents.com/mainstreet2013

Further details about Streetlife can be found at www.business.vic.gov.au/streetlife

Ballarat Hospital expansion ready to start

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:38:38 +10:00

Work is gearing up in preparation for the major Ballarat Hospital expansion and new helipad, with the construction due to commence within the next year, Minister for Health David Davis said today.

Mr Davis said the Victorian Coalition Government fully committed $46.4 million to the project in last year’s Budget, and considerable planning work has gone on behind the scenes leading up to the next major milestone.

The project will deliver 60 extra beds for Ballarat Health Services, plus relocation of the ambulatory care services in a new three-storey building.

“Detailed planning of the expansion works, in association with the design for the helipad, has gone on behind the scenes as we work towards the start of construction in early 2014,” Mr Davis said.

“The Victorian Coalition committed to this project before the last election, and our funding allocation in last year’s Budget honored that pledge. This expansion is important for the community of Ballarat,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said the helipad would be based on top of a new multi-deck car park to be built as part of the expansion.

Local Labor Members opposed a helipad for Ballarat Base Hospital for eleven years and it has taken a Coalition Government to commit funding to this important project.

“Having a helipad at the hospital will save vital minutes in time-critical transfers and emergency arrivals, and will save lives,” Mr Davis said.

“With Ballarat being a vital centre in emergency health services servicing the western half of Victoria, immediate access for medical helicopters is long overdue.”

The expansion is due to be completed by mid-2016. The redevelopment is expected to generate more than 130 new construction jobs.

Ballarat is also benefiting from funding to develop a five-bed mother-baby mental health unit, as part of a $6 million package.

Mr Davis said these capital works were part of more than $4 billion worth of health infrastructure already underway through the Coalition Government.

Victoria scores another sporting coup – 2013 World Cup of Golf

Sun, 12 May 2013 17:50:23 +10:00

Victoria can boast another major events coup, with Premier Denis Napthine today announcing Melbourne will host the prestigious 2013 World Cup of Golf.

“Securing this event for Melbourne reinforces our international reputation as the sporting capital of Australia,” Dr Napthine said.

“I am delighted that Melbourne is the city of choice to host one of the oldest tournaments in professional golf and that it is returning to Australia after 25 years.

“This event will showcase our world-renowned sandbelt region to a cumulative audience of 800 million homes across 200 countries.”

The 57th World Cup of Golf will take place at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club from 21 to 24 November in the week following the Australian Masters.

Minster for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said events such as the World Cup of Golf deliver excellent economic outcomes for Victoria.

“Staging major golf events delivers strong economic benefits to Victoria, with recent golf events in Melbourne attracting about 45,000 visitors and generating $105 million in economic impact,” Ms Asher said.

“The 2013 World Cup of Golf is estimated to create between $25 million to $30 million in economic benefit to Victoria and will attract up to 9,000 interstate and international visitors.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said he was thrilled that the World Cup of Golf will return to Australia, and to a city that has hosted the biggest and best international sporting events for many years.

“The Presidents Cup 2011 was the best in the event’s history, thanks, in no small part, to the support of the Australian sports fans, the Victorian Coalition Government and the Victorian Major Events Company,” Mr Finchem said.

“With all of those ingredients still in place, plus Adam Scott’s win at the Masters in April, there is tremendous excitement for the 2013 World Cup.”

Renowned Australian golfer and US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy said: “I’m excited to hear that Royal Melbourne will host the World Cup 2013, and, if I qualify, I will definitely want to play the event,” Mr Ogilvy said.

“Obviously, Melbourne is a special place to me, and The Presidents Cup 2011 in front of the great Aussie crowds was an unforgettable experience.”

In its 60 year history the now biennial World Cup of Golf has previously been played only three times in Australia, each time at Royal Melbourne.

The tournament has featured a roll call of golf’s greatest players such as Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Ben Hogan, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlory, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tiger Woods – all having represented their respective countries in the event.

The 2013 World Cup of Golf marks another great date in Victoria’s impressive major events calendar, which this year also includes the World Premiere of King Kong, the much anticipated British and Irish Lions Tour, Melbourne Victory v Liverpool Football Club and the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces including Hollywood Costumes and Monet’s Garden.

Victoria’s major events contribute about $1.4 billion to the major event industry and attracts around 230,000 international visitors each year.

For more information visit http://worldcup.pgatour.com/

Coalition Government secures Auslan training

Sun, 12 May 2013 17:49:45 +10:00

Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall today announced the Victorian Coalition Government’s plan for providing Australian Sign Language (Auslan) courses in Victoria.

The Victorian Auslan Training Consortium – led by Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) in partnership with the Victorian Deaf Society (VicDeaf) and La Trobe University – will begin offering Certificate II and Diploma courses from July this year.

Enrolments for these courses are now open through NMIT, with enrolments for Certificate III and IV courses to open in early 2014.

Mr Hall said the Coalition Government was responding to concerns raised by the Victorian deaf and hard of hearing community about an inadequate supply of interpreters and translators.

This followed a decision from the major Victorian provider of Auslan training, Kangan Institute, to cease offering the courses to new students from 2013.

“This new approach to Auslan training was developed after extensive consultation with the deaf and hard of hearing community and following an independent review of Auslan training and delivery in Victoria,” Mr Hall said.

“The training will be delivered in metropolitan and regional areas face-to-face and using communications technology, ensuring that all students have access to flexible and improved Auslan training.

“In addition, new arrangements have been put in place to reduce the barriers that existed for professionals to study Auslan, making these courses more widely available for all Victorians.

“The training provided by the Victorian Auslan Training Consortium will ensure that deaf and hard of hearing individuals, their workmates, families and friends will have access to subsidised training in the officially recognised sign language of Australia.”

The Victorian Auslan Training Consortium will also engage in research that will help improve the approach to Auslan training and contribute to the development of new training resources.

The Coalition Government will provide funding of $5.2 million over three and a half years to ensure that at least 700 enrolments are delivered over that time, with the contract rewarding the provider for further enrolments.

Mr Hall said the funding would help many more people to gain Auslan qualifications and provide pathways into RMIT’s Diploma of Interpreting course.

“The Coalition Government recognises that, without suitably skilled and qualified Auslan interpreters and translators, the deaf and hard of hearing members of our community will be adversely impacted economically and socially,” Mr Hall said.

Auslan is the officially recognised sign language of deaf and hard of hearing people in Australia. It is a visual, spacial language, using hand movements, facial expressions and body language.

Record boost to fund trucks, tankers and new equipment for emergency services volunteers

Sat, 11 May 2013 17:49:05 +10:00

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells today announced the Victorian Coalition Government was investing a record $12.23 million to ensure emergency services volunteers have the tools they need to do their job and keep Victorians safe.

Launching this year’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), Mr Wells said grants of up to $100,000 would go to emergency services groups for operational equipment such as vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers and to make minor facility improvements.

Under the VESEP, the Coalition Government contributes $2 for every $1 contributed by volunteers from organisations such as the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, CFA , Life Saving Victoria, VICSES, or any eligible volunteer emergency services groups.

“Since 2011, the Coalition Government has paid $23.55 million towards new equipment for 457 emergency services groups under this program,” Mr Wells said.

“The VESEP is a partnership between the Coalition Government and communities to ensure emergency services volunteers purchase equipment that supports the ongoing protection and safety of all Victorians.

“Emergency services volunteers are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency response so we want to ensure they have the latest equipment available to help them carry out their vital work.

“With this year’s record boost, we expect to deliver even more equipment to volunteer groups.

“We will continue to ensure our emergency services volunteers are better equipped to respond safely and effectively to emergencies, whether it be floods, storms or bushfires,” Mr Wells said.

For more information go to www.justice.vic.gov.au or email vesep@justice.vic.gov.au This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More Labor lies on School Focused Youth Service

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:48:10 +10:00

Labor has lied about the School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) program, Education Minister Martin Dixon said today.

On Thursday 9 May 2013 Labor Treasury spokesman Tim Pallas claimed that SFYS was a Labor program initiated under a former Labor Government. Today Labor member for Altona Jill Hennessy claimed before the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee that funding for SFYS was cut last year. Both of these claims are false, showing that Labor is willing to lie and mislead the Parliament and the PAE Committee for cheap political points.

“These Labor lies cause real harm in the community,” Mr Dixon said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to continue support for our most vulnerable students and make sure every dollar of funding for School Focused Youth Service continues to benefit students.

“The School Focused Youth Service provides vital well-being and mental health support services, in collaboration with local community providers and will continue to do so under the Coalition Government.”

The program was initiated by the Kennett Government in 1998 in response to recommendations made by the Suicide Prevention Task Force in 1997.

Then Minister for Youth and Community Services, and now Premier of Victoria, Dr Denis Napthine, oversaw the funding and implementation of this program in 1998.

Labor Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks, acknowledged the Coalition Government’s initiative on 20 February 2013, in a member’s statement, saying that: “The School Focused Youth Service, which was introduced by the Kennett Government, following the suicide prevention taskforce report back in 1997 – one of the very few good things the Kennett Government did.”

In March 2013, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) met with community sector and local government peak agencies to discuss feedback to the Reforming Support to Vulnerable Young People discussion paper released in response to the Cummins report into protecting Victoria’s vulnerable children.

The DEECD has also conducted facilitated discussions with local councils via the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to explore ways to refine and improve the focus on vulnerable children within the ongoing SFYS program.

In addition to the School Focused Youth Service, the Coalition Government has developed a number of programs designed to support vulnerable students, support student welfare and improve school attendance. These include:

recruiting an extra 150 Primary Welfare Officers to work in two thirds of all Victorian government primary schools by 2014;
returning Student Support Service Officers (SSSO) – including psychologists, social workers, speech pathologists and others, to schools;
an additional $4.9 million in the 2013-2014 Victorian Budget to continue the SSSO program, building on the existing annual $60 million funding;
the $4 million Bully Stoppers initiative;
Student Welfare Coordinators, who support student welfare, health and wellbeing needs in secondary schools;
alternative settings re-engagement programs, which supports students experiencing significant behavioural, social or learning difficulties in mainstream schools; and
Senior Secondary re-engagement program, which helps disengaged students get back into education.

The Coalition Government will continue to support vulnerable children in Victoria and is committed to ensuring that we deliver the best service possible.

Minister welcomes taser rollout in Geelong and Ballarat

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:47:21 +10:00

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells has welcomed today's announcement from Victoria Police that officers at Geelong, Corio and Ballarat will carry tasers to help them safely resolve violent and life-threatening incidents.

Mr Wells said the Victorian Coalition Government had long-supported Victoria Police’s roll out of tasers.

“Policing is difficult, and anything we can do to reduce the prospect of a death during confrontation should be supported, and tasers are certainly part of that approach,” Mr Wells said.

Officers in Bendigo and Morwell commenced a 12-month trial using the X26 taser in July 2010.

Police in Traralgon and Moe completed the same training and began using the same type of taser used in Morwell in July 2012.

Police in Geelong, Corio and Ballarat, as well as their local highway patrol units, will use the new X2 model from 13 May 2013.

The X2 features updated technology, improvements in data logging, audio and visual features and the inclusion of a shut down cycle.

“Police in Geelong, Corio and Ballarat have attended a significant number of violent and dangerous incidents,” Mr Wells said.

“The rollout of tasers to Police in other parts of Victoria has already proved effective and now officers in Geelong, Corio and Ballarat will also be equipped with another option for resolving violent incidents.”

Mr Wells said use of the devices would be monitored through strict accountability processes but he was confident training undertaken by police members would ensure the weapons are employed correctly.

“Police members regularly undertake training to help them deal with people who are drug affected, violent and irrational. The rollout of these tasers to these police areas will give officers another option, instead of firearms, as they work to protect our communities," Mr Wells said.

New counselling teams now in the outer east

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:46:16 +10:00

Two new therapeutic counselling teams are now operating across Melbourne’s outer east to address drug and alcohol issues experienced by residents in the outer suburban and rural fringe areas.

Joined by local Member for Gembrook, Brad Battin to officially launch the Substance Use Recovery Eastern (SURE) program in Yarra Junction today, Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge commended EACH Social and Community Health Service and Knox Community Health Service for working in partnership to deliver these services.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is delivering four new therapeutic counselling teams across Melbourne’s outer east, Cranbourne and the Barwon South-West region,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“The two new therapeutic counselling teams in the outer east will receive more than $3.8 million and operate from six different locations.

Ms Wooldridge said these teams are made up of experienced social workers and psychologists who provide a range of specialist counselling services, including alcohol and drug addiction services, family therapy and trauma informed therapy.

“The therapeutic counselling teams support the local community in providing tailored responses to individual and family problems,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“This new service is reaching people who are struggling with a mix of complex issues such as mental health problems and gambling issues, as well as housing and employment concerns.

“Services assist people to overcome and manage a range of problems and to get their lives back on track.”

Mr Battin said that the outer east has historically had less funding than other areas for these types of services, which has resulted in less clients accessing services and a high proportion of resident s who do access services having to go outside the local area.

“I welcome this investment by the Coalition Government and congratulate EACH and Knox Community Health Services for making these new services accessible to local communities by providing the services from Wantirna, Belgrave, Yarra Junction, Healesville, Lilydale and Ringwood,” Mr Battin said.

More CFA trucks to receive vital protection upgrades

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:40:09 +10:00

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells today announced further upgrades to the CFA’s fleet to ensure firefighters have extra protection in the event of a burnover.

Mr Wells today visited Napoleons-Enfield Fire Brigade to announce the extension of the three-year Crew Protection Retrofit Program.

“The $23 million program has been delivered before time and under budget, so we are announcing a further 74 trucks will be retrofitted, bringing the total number of upgraded CFA tankers to 918,” Mr Wells said.

Mr Wells said the program applies to all CFA trucks built prior to 2006 with a capacity of a 1,000 litres of water or more. All vehicles produced after 2006 are fitted with crew protection systems.

“A total of 844 vehicles made prior to 2006 have already received enhanced crew protection, including radiant heat protective curtains, water-spraying systems, heat-shielding panels and upgraded intercom communication systems,” Mr Wells said.

“While we hope fire crews across Victoria are never trapped in their tanker during a burnover, this program will ensure people on the front line are better equipped to safely take shelter in their trucks.”

Mr Wells said members of the Napoleons-Enfield Brigade experienced first-hand the importance of the crew protection systems during the March 2013 Dereel fire, south of Ballarat.

“When their vehicle collided with a tree and became immobilised, members of the Napoleons-Enfield CFA crew were able to utilise their crew protection systems and take shelter in their vehicle despite a fire burning around them,” Mr Wells said.

The retrofit program has also generated additional employment, with the CFA hiring an extra 25 District Mechanical Officers to upgrade appliances at the CFA’s 13 District Mechanical Workshops.

Mr Wells said the Coalition Government was providing funding of $61 million in the 2013-14 Victorian Budget to replace dilapidated and ageing rural fire stations across the state.

The Coalition Government has already funded the refurbishment or replacement of 108 rural fire stations since 2011-12.

Mr Wells said the Coalition Government was proud of the vital work performed by the CFA, one of the world’s largest volunteer organisations with more than 60,000 members – 98 per cent volunteers.

“The Coalition Government is proud to support CFA volunteers by providing them with the facilities and equipment they need to save lives and property,” Mr Wells said.

Monet’s masterpieces in bloom at NGV

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:04:15 +10:00

Melbourne’s winter arts calendar is already in full swing with the opening of the city’s second Australian-exclusive Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition for 2013 – Monet’s Garden: The Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris – at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Officially opening the exhibition today, Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria said Monet’s Garden brings together more than 60 works by Claude Monet, many of which have never before left Paris.

“Monet is one of art history’s most influential figures; he painted the world as he saw it and in doing so became one of the forefathers of the Impressionist art movement. This stunning exhibition will give audiences an insight into Monet’s life, his works and his greatest inspiration – his stunning garden at Giverny in France.”

The exhibition is presented by the NGV in collaboration with Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris, which in 1966 was bequeathed the Monet family’s private art collection, and also brings together paintings from leading international museums and private collections.

“From his spectacular waterlily paintings to rarely exhibited later works, this exhibition is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enter the world of an artistic legend and get up close to some of his greatest masterpieces.
With an accompanying program of talks, tours, film screenings, food events and even gardening activities, people of all ages can get involved.”

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said Monet’s Garden is the sixteenth exhibition in the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series and the tenth to be hosted by the NGV. This year the series also includes Hollywood Costumes at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, which in its opening fortnight has already welcomed more than 17,000 people.

“Since the series began in 2004, Melbourne Winter Masterpieces has grown to become one of this State’s biggest events, ranking as one of our top five economic and tourist drawcards, alongside the AFL Grand Final, the Spring Racing Carnival, and the Australian Open,” Ms Asher said.

“Melbourne is the only place in Australia you can experience these wonderful exhibitions. Close to 3.8 million people have already seen a Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, and we look forward to welcoming Victorians, interstate and international visitors to the series this season.

“Whether you’re taking a journey into the golden age of Hollywood or to Claude Monet’s beautiful garden – the only destination you need this year is Melbourne.”

Monet’s Garden is open daily at NGV International, St Kilda Road until 8 September 2013. Find out more at www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Coalition Government’s planned burning program reaches major milestone

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:03:31 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government has hit a milestone with more than 200,000 hectares of planned burning already carried out on public land this financial year and more to come as weather conditions remain stable.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said reaching the 200,000 hectare mark was a significant achievement and reflected the hard work of fire crews from the Department of

Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) and Parks Victoria.

“Despite a prolonged bushfire season followed by significant rain, planned burning has been carried out on almost 220,000 hectares of public land. This is 22,000 hectares more than was accomplished last year,” Mr Smith said.

“Our crews have done an amazing job and have been able to seamlessly switch from fighting some of the largest bushfires in the past several decades to preparing and undertaking the largest planned burning program in the last 20 years.

“We still have a good window of mild, stable weather conditions ahead of us and we’ll take every opportunity to carry out more planned burns to further reduce the risk of bushfires on our parks and native animals, as well as Victorian communities, people and property.”

Mr Smith said this year’s bushfires reinforced the need for an extensive strategic planned burning program.

“This is a reminder of why we need to increase the amount of planned burning we do on public land, and why we need both large burns in areas like East Gippsland, as well as the smaller asset protection burns around areas like Melbourne,” Mr Smith said.

“We’ve also done a lot of other work to reduce fuel loads including slashing, mowing and clearing in high-risk areas such as the Dandenong Ranges.”

The Coalition Government announced in Tuesday’s State Budget it would invest a further $33.7 million to increase its planned burning program over the next two years.

“Scaling up the state’s planned burning program is a big challenge, one that has not been attempted at this magnitude before,” Mr Smith said.

“This additional funding will allow DEPI to make further improvements to expand the planned burning program.

“This stands in stark contrast to the previous Labor Government, which in 2005-2006 only managed to burn 49,000 hectares and repeatedly failed to even reach the 100,000 hectare mark.”

Fire crews from DEPI and Parks Victoria will take advantage of stable weather conditions to carry out planned burns across the state over the coming week.

To find out where and when planned burns are happening visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/burns, call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667, or listen to your local radio station.

The FireReady smartphone application also shows planned burns ignited today, on a map.

New County Court judge appointed

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:02:24 +10:00

Attorney-General Robert Clark today announced the appointment of Paul Cosgrave SC to the County Court of Victoria.

Mr Cosgrave brings over 30 years experience to the bench.

Mr Cosgrave was admitted to practice in 1981 and signed the Bar Roll in 1983. He was appointed a Senior Counsel in 2005.

During his time at the Bar, Mr Cosgrave has worked almost exclusively in commercial litigation, including contractual and trade practices disputes, corporate insolvency, professional negligence, directors’ duties, superannuation issues and building and construction disputes.

Mr Cosgrave has also served as Assistant Secretary to the Bar, and as a member of the Bar’s Pro Bono Assistance Scheme. He was also a director of the trustee of the Victorian Bar Superannuation Fund and has been the Chairman of the Superannuation Section of the Commercial Bar Association since 2005.

“Mr Cosgrave’s extensive commercial law experience over many years makes him ideally suited to make a valuable contribution to the important commercial law work of the County Court,” Mr Clark said.

“I congratulate Mr Cosgrave on his appointment and wish him every success in his future service to the community as a judge of the County Court.”

Labor takes anti-forestry industry stance

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:56 +10:00

The Victorian Labor Opposition has jilted the forestry industry this week by voting against legislation that would provide longer term resource security, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said.

Following debate in the Legislative Council last night, Labor sided with the Greens and voted against the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Amendment Bill 2013.

“This legislation was introduced following extensive review of the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004,” Mr Walsh said.

“To ensure a sustainable future, Victoria’s native forestry industry requires greater resource security and certainty to facilitate long term industry investment.

“Improving long term resource security underpins the industry’s ability to access finance for investments in processing infrastructure, value adding and produce and market development.

“This legislation provides extra security by enabling VicForests to offer timber supply contracts for periods of up to 20 years; currently contracts can only be offered for periods of up to 15 years.

“The legislation does not alter Victoria’s world-standard sustainable forest management regulations and environmental standards.

“The amendment would also cut red tape by removing the Timber Harvester Operator Licence (THOL) system.

“The THOL system duplicates occupational health and safety standards required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and its removal will save individuals and businesses an estimated $280,000 per annum.

“Labor’s opposition is on shaky ground. Labor claims to support long term resource security but voted against it. Labor also claims to support jobs in regional Victoria but, again, voted against measures that would provide greater job security for forestry workers.

“Labor has opposed the removal of the THOL system, despite John Lenders himself proposing it be removed when he was Treasurer in the former government.

“Daniel Andrews would do well to seek the sensible counsel of the Labor Member for Ripon, Joe Helper, before this Bill is voted on in the Legislative Assembly.

“Mr Helper told ABC Radio this week he “absolutely and thoroughly” agrees with measures that provide greater resource security. As a former Minister responsible for Forestry, Mr Helper must be disappointed that Labor is playing politics with this Bill,” Mr Walsh said.

Melbourne Market relocation – the facts

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:00:20 +10:00

Minister for Major Projects David Hodgett has clarified the facts relating to the Melbourne Markets project, following an article in The Weekly Times today which contained a number of factual inaccuracies.

Mr Hodgett said it was disappointing that there was so much misinformation about the Melbourne Market relocation being spread for political or commercial gain.

“The fact is that the former Labor Government initiated this project and when we came to Government, construction was well underway,” Mr Hodgett said.

“Through Labor’s poor planning there were a number of design flaws, including a smaller floor space for standholders than what is available at the current Footscray Road site.”

The design by Labor of the new market at Epping has a trading floor area of 7,456 square metres, compared to the 13,994 square metres at the existing site.

“Thanks to the poor design by Labor, it is inevitable that the current number of stands and their current size will simply not fit at Epping,” Mr Hodgett said.

“We are working closely with the standholders to address all issues relating to the move. Since February 2012 we have put out 53 discussion papers and Ministerial statements concerning the relocation to Epping (all of which are available at www.melbournemarkets.com.au).

“We have maintained constant dialogue with these stakeholders as we work to ensure the best possible result.

“Every time we have sought expressions of interest or held ballots for warehousing, stores and stands, we have been overwhelmed with interest and participation. If the standholders thought the market was such a bad proposition, they wouldn’t all be clambering to be involved and the number of stands and their size wouldn’t be an issue.

“The article that appeared in the Weekly Times contained much misinformation. At this stage, no decisions have been made on individual stand sizes, or who will get the stands. This is because we are continuing to work with the standholders to assess their needs, as well as deal with issues.

“The Weekly Times also pointed out that Labor’s designed floor space is too narrow to turn a forklift. We have engaged an independent traffic management reviewer to address this issue and ensure that the proposed layout provides for safe and efficient operation and considers both forklifts and pedestrians. The information gathered will be factored into the final layout and considered before the stand ballot process,” Mr Hodgett said.

Mr Hodgett also explained that reports that 100,000 square metres of warehousing space was struggling to be filled was simply wrong.

“Warehouse spacing hasn’t even been allocated yet, as we are still in the process of assessing how much will be required,” Mr Hodgett said.

“The amount of warehousing constructed will be determined by the needs of the businesses going into the market.

“The Melbourne Markets is a project that presents a range of challenges, and we are working closely with the users of the current Footscray Road site to deal with these challenges.

“Once it is open, the Melbourne Market site at Epping will be a fantastic, state of the art market, which will provide a huge range of benefits to both businesses and market goers,” Mr Hodgett said.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to meet with the Melbourne Markets Relocation Team which is on site to work with the standholders on the transition.

Coalition Government funding helps restore Towong community facilities

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:58:51 +10:00

Flood damaged community facilities in the Towong Shire will be revitalised following a $234,000 grant from the Victorian Coalition Government.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the grant would help restore community assets following the damaging 2012 major floods.

The works include:

a new toilet block at Stacey’s Bridge Camping Reserve, near Corryong;
sealing of the High Country Rail Trail between Tallangatta and the newly constructed Sandy Creek Bridge;
repairs to the entrance track at Magorra Park Recreation Reserve in Mitta Mitta;
restoration of the water-damaged interior of the grandstand at the Towong Racecourse and Recreation Reserve; and
replacement of the guttering at the Biggara Tennis Club.

“The Coalition Government is committed to assisting local communities to get back on their feet following last year’s flood events,” Mr Smith said.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley welcomed the funding saying it was part of the Coalition Government’s $27.5 million package to aid the recovery of Victorian communities affected by the floods.

“The restoration and enhancement of key community facilities is an important part of the recovery program and will also help attract visitors back to the region,” Mr Tilley said.

“The program includes $1.7 million for the restoration of facilities on Crown Land, which is being administered by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI).”

Towong Shire Mayor, Mary Fraser OAM, said the council had been working with the community and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) to ensure the facilities were restored.

“The works at Stacey’s Bridge and the Rail Trail near Tallangatta will not only ensure that the assets will withstand potential flood events in the future, but they will also provide improved infrastructure for visitors to our shire,” Cr Fraser said.

“Council is pleased to facilitate this funding opportunity on behalf of the local community.

“The effective partnership between Council, the community and DEPI has certainly proved to be a winning formula.”

Parliament passes historic forced adoption legislation

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:57:25 +10:00

This Bill implements the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment – made at the time of the Parliamentary Apology for Past Adoption Practices – to amend the Adoption Act 1984 to allow natural parents who relinquished babies for adoption prior to 1984 to receive identifying information about their adult adopted daughters and sons, with or without their permission.

Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said identifying information will include the child’s name after adoption and the name and address of the adoptive parents at the time of the adoption.

“The Coalition Government believes it is a basic right for a mother to know the name of her child and we recognise that this change has been sought for decades by the adoption community,” Ms Wooldridge said.

The Bill also introduces an optional ‘contact statement’, which will enable an adopted person to choose to prevent another party to the adoption from making contact with them. However, it will not prevent the release of identifying information to natural parents.

If an adopted person chooses to lodge a contact statement it will need to be renewed every five years and breaching a contact statement will attract a penalty.

These changes will take effect from 1 July 2013.

“The Coalition Government has acknowledged the devastating and ongoing impacts of the adoption practices of the past,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“The Parliamentary Apology in October 2012 and the associated practical commitments are designed to better respond to the needs of persons affected by adoption and reflect consultation and input from the stakeholder community.”

Inspector appointed to Wangaratta Rural City Council

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:54:38 +10:00

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has appointed an Inspector of Municipal Administration to oversee the activities and performance of the Wangaratta Rural City Council.

“I have appointed an Inspector of Municipal Administration to deal with a myriad of problems that have undermined the operation of the Wangaratta Council,” Mrs Powell said.

“It’s important that the problems at Wangaratta Council are resolved in an expeditious manner and that the elected councillors and the council administration function effectively in the interests of the Wangaratta community.

“Being elected to represent your community is a great honour and the residents and ratepayers expect and deserve a council that is focused on serving the best interests of the entire community.

“Effective immediately, I have appointed Mr Peter Stephenson to the role of Inspector for a period of three months. Mr Stephenson will report directly to me on the conduct of the council, including councillors and officers.”

The Wangaratta Rural City Council is currently under investigation by the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate after allegations of breaches of the Local Government Act have been received.

A Councillor Conduct Panel has also been convened to deal with alleged misconduct by a councillor.

The Council has engaged a consultant to examine allegations that a councillor was bullied by the CEO. A Probity Auditor, Mr Bill Scales, has been appointed to oversee this inquiry.

The Council has engaged an independent industrial relations consultant to assess a number of staff complaints that they have been bullied by a councillor.

Peter Stephenson is an experienced professional and skilled facilitator with more than twenty years experience in senior roles in health and community services, academia and has previously served as a local government councillor and mayor.

Mrs Powell said recent events at Wangaratta had confirmed her decision to appoint an inspector to assist the council deliver leadership and effective governance to the community.

Funding now available for local sport and recreation facilities

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:51:45 +10:00

The 2014/2015 Community Facility Funding Program (CFFP) is now open for applications. The CFFP provides funding for a broad range of sport and recreation projects.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty today announced the new round of the CFFP open and encouraged clubs to contact their local council to discuss their project proposals to be able to access funds.

“A key objective of the Victorian Coalition Government is to develop healthy and active communities while supporting local economic activity initiatives,” Mr Delahunty said.

“To achieve this goal, we need quality local infrastructure that encourages local people to participate in physical activity.”

The CFFP provides grants for planning and building new and improved facilities where communities meet, interact and participate in sport and recreation. Only Local Government Authorities are eligible to apply directly for funding however local clubs are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest Form for Community Organisations to their Council to register their interest in obtaining support.

CFFP funding is available under six categories:

Better Pools – grants of up to $3 million to build new or upgrade existing aquatic centres.
Major Facilities – grants of up to $650,000 to develop or upgrade major sport and recreation facilities.
Seasonal Pools – grants of up to $200,000 to upgrade seasonal pools in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.
Minor Facilities – grants of up to $100,000 to develop or upgrade local sport and recreation facilities.
Soccer Facilities – grants totalling $100,000 for up to two projects are available to upgrade existing and construct new facilities.
Planning – grants to fund initiatives that assess the future sport and recreation facility needs of local and regional communities.

“We are proud to continue extending our support for soccer in this round with the continuation of the Soccer Facilities category, which was introduced last funding round,” Mr Delahunty said.

“These are just some of the ways we are working with stakeholders and Victorians to deliver on our strategy to grow the economy, build infrastructure and contribute to the health and wellbeing of the State.

“As well as the health and sporting benefits created through the CFFP, we are also helping to stimulate local economies and create jobs throughout the construction and management of facilities,” Mr Delahunty said.

For more information about the Community Facility Funding Program, please visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/sport/sport-facilities/community-facilities

Coalition Government to build the East West Link

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:58:38 +10:00

The East West Link is set to become a reality with Premier Denis Napthine, Treasurer Michael O’Brien and Roads Minister Terry Mulder announcing the Victorian Coalition Government will commit to funding stage one of this city-shaping project.

Dr Napthine said the six kilometre eastern section of the East West Link, from the Eastern Freeway to CityLink, would be the first stage of the 18 kilometre project.

“This landmark project will reduce chronic congestion issues and transform east west travel across Melbourne, at an estimated capital cost of between $6 billion and $8 billion,” Dr Napthine said.

“It will create around 3,200 jobs, drive productivity and secure the long-term economic future of our State.

“The Coalition Government is getting on with the job of planning and delivering the infrastructure we need for growth, a task that Labor failed to do for 11 years.

“We have considered the business case and it’s clear the East West Link is a vital missing piece in our road network.

“In a growing Victoria, it is essential we get on with delivering this project to improve travel times and reduce the over-reliance on the M1 corridor, which comes to a grinding halt every time there is an incident,” Dr Napthine said.

Treasurer Michael O’Brien said the Coalition Government was able to deliver the East West Link and other critical infrastructure because of the strength of the Victorian economy.

“The Coalition Government’s strong economic management means we have the capacity to deliver East West Link Stage 1, which has an estimated capital cost of between $6 billion and $8 billion,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This major project will boost our State’s productivity and protect its liveability.”

Mr O’Brien said the East West Link would be delivered as a Public Private Partnership, with financing sourced from the Victorian Coalition Government, Commonwealth Government and the private sector. Toll revenue is expected to partly offset the costs of the project over the longer term.

“There is a clear role for the private sector in delivering this project,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The Coalition Government will call for Expressions of Interest later this year to deliver the project under a Public Private Partnership arrangement, with a view to awarding a contract in late 2014.

“It is also time that the Commonwealth Government committed its fair share to this vital Victorian infrastructure project.

“As a nation-building piece of major infrastructure, a funding contribution of $1.5 billion from the Commonwealth Government will be needed to ensure the timely delivery of the East West Link.

“This project is of national significance, and the Commonwealth should recognise that,” Mr O’Brien said.

Roads Minister Terry Mulder said the Budget funding would be used to enable Linking Melbourne Authority to complete formal planning approvals for the eastern section of the East West Link, undertake a procurement process to call tenders for its construction, and deliver the project.

“The Coalition Government is committed to delivering this massive project which is one of the largest infrastructure builds in the history of Victoria,” Mr Mulder said.

“Extensive background work has already been completed and we have identified a corridor for the eastern section, primarily along Alexandra Parade, with the project to use a combination of construction methods including tunnelling to reduce local impacts.

“The Coalition Government will soon start talking with communities about the preferred corridor, with a view to finalising a design which considers the needs and concerns of local communities, while enabling construction of this complex piece of infrastructure.

“There will be a range of ways that people can access information about the project and be involved in its development, including public displays, a community reference group, online forums and direct contact with the project team,” Mr Mulder said.

The East West Link is an 18 kilometre road connecting the Eastern Freeway at Hoddle Street with the M80 Ring Road in Sunshine West. The statutory planning process for East West Link Stage 1 is now underway and the project is expected to go to market for procurement by late 2013.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2014, and a construction period of around five years is anticipated.

The planning study for the eastern section will be conducted under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009, with a Comprehensive Impact Statement (CIS) expected to be released for public comment by the end of the year.

For more information on the East West Link planning study and opportunities to be involved, visit www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au

Further reforms benefit vulnerable children and families

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:43:38 +10:00

Support for reforms that are improving the lives of Victoria’s vulnerable children will continue across the Victorian Coalition Government with the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget, Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge said today.

Ms Wooldridge said that the Coalition Government’s responsible economic management means an additional $218 million for Victoria’s vulnerable children and families, with a focus on child protection, educational support and early childhood development.

“This funding takes the Coalition’s additional investment in vulnerable children and families to more than $650 million over our three Budgets,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Key highlights of the 2013-14 State Budget include:

Therapeutic Foster Care: more than doubling the number of placements to achieve statewide coverage of therapeutic models of foster care for children who are in care. This delivers enhanced support for carers to receive specific, targeted support to help their foster children improve their emotional and educational stability and developmental outcomes. This in turn contributes to fewer placement breakdowns and improved life outcomes.
Services Connect: continuing to develop and start delivering the new integrated service delivery model that brings together services such as child protection, public housing, disability, youth justice, family violence, mental health, and alcohol and drug services.
Early Childhood Intervention Services: new early childhood intervention service (ECIS) places each year to support children with a disability or developmental delay from birth until school age. Services are tailored to the individual learning and development needs of each child and are delivered in a way that supports the specific circumstances of each child.
Student Support Services: provision of specialist allied health support including psychology, speech pathology and social work services to government school students facing barriers to learning in achieving their education and development potential.
Protecting Women & Children from Violence: additional support for men’s behaviour change programs and programs tackling adolescent violence in the home.
Out-of-home care: funding for more places in foster, kinship and residential care that will substantially reduce the need for contingency or temporary placements which see some of our most vulnerable children residing with temporary carers in motels or caravan parks.
Street workers and after hours support: continuation of child protection outreach services on the streets seven days a week and support for young people at risk of remand after hours.
Accommodation Options for Families: will continue to help about 3,200 families access a range of affordable and appropriate accommodation options over four years.

The Budget also includes $19 million for a wage rise in 2013-14 for about 5,000 workers in the children, youth and family sector as a result of a Fair Work Australia decision known as the SACS case.

Ms Wooldridge said that the Budget initiatives align with the government’s 10-year whole of government strategy – Victoria’s Vulnerable Children – Our Shared Responsibility – that was released last week. The strategy sets out a whole-of-government plan for preventing abuse and neglect, acting earlier when children are vulnerable and improving outcomes for children in state care.

Coalition Government delivers a $1.6 billion package to address cost of living pressures

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:42:40 +10:00

Concessions for vulnerable Victorians will increase in the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget with Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge today announcing a $1.6 billion package to help families with the cost of utilities, health services, education and transport.

Ms Wooldridge said there had been a total annual increase of almost $300 million since Labor’s last Budget in 2010-11. *

Since coming to power in December 2010, the Victorian Coalition Government has:

increased annual education concessions from $74 million to $124 million;
increased annual health concessions by $29 million;
increased annual transport concessions by $48 million;
increased annual concessions for water and sewerage from $113 million to $157 million; and
introduced year-round electricity concessions in March 2011, replacing the six months’ assistance provided by the previous Labor State Government. The Coalition Government has more than doubled annual concessions payments for electricity from $68 million to $174 million.

“Coalition Government concessions in 2013-14 will assist more than 1.4 million households,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“This means about one in four Victorian households will receive assistance with the cost of electricity, gas and other essential services such as education, ambulance subscriptions and transport.

“Through strong economic management, the Coalition Government has built capacity in the budget to deliver this assistance to the most vulnerable Victorians,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“Rather than automatically paying millions of dollars in concessions for extraordinarily high bills, people seeking excess concessions assistance will need to apply for concessions above the amount of the trigger point,” Ms Wooldridge said.

This application for excess concessions assistance will require households to make an affirmation, which includes that they are not using gas or electricity for business purposes or for illegal activity.

Excess concessions assistance will be granted after that affirmation, and be subject to random audits. Households will also be provided with assistance to lower their power bills, with additional information and/or a visit from an expert in reducing power bills.

People receiving medical power concessions will not need to apply for excess concessions assistance.

The Budget estimates that the combined impact of the reduction in the amount of concessions paid to ineligible recipients and the reduction in electricity consumption for legitimate concession card holders will reduce expenditure by around $9 million in 2013-14.

To streamline the administration of concessions, the backdating of concessions payments provided through the Department of Human Services will be standardised to 12 months.

* All figures compare current year Budget figures to 2010-11 Budget Paper 4: Statement of Finances, p. 241

Budget boost for mental health beds, services and workers

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:41:55 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government will spend an additional $70 million next year to better support Victorians with a mental illness or drug and alcohol addiction, Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge said today.

The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget provides new funding to invest in more hospital beds for people with a mental illness, improved access to services for vulnerable Victorians and more support for mental health and alcohol and drug sector workers.

“Through responsible economic management, the Coalition Government is able to continue to invest in help for those Victorians who need it most,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“Our investment includes $35 million for a new 54-bed acute mental health facility at the Werribee Mercy Hospital – the largest-ever funding boost for mental health services in Melbourne’s west – which will improve the access to and quality of mental health care for people in the area.

“Labor’s neglect of mental health services in the west, combined with its failure to plan for rapid population growth, has placed significant pressure on the Werribee Mercy Hospital.

“This investment will help the hospital address those challenges,” Ms Wooldridge said.

The Budget delivers on the Coalition Government’s commitment to provide new mental health beds and treat more patients, including:

new funding to ensure more people can be treated at Monash Health and Austin Health, and in areas that have experienced significant growth in demand for services;
funding to operate three new four-bed Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Units (PAPU) at Western Health, Eastern Health and Austin Health; and
new funding to open four adult inpatient beds at Traralgon and three five-bed mother baby units in Traralgon, Bendigo and Ballarat.

Through this Budget, the Coalition Government will have invested in more than 170 new mental health beds since coming to office.

In line with a Coalition Government election commitment, community mental health services in East Gippsland will be expanded to support better access to health, welfare and social services.

As part of the Coalition Government’s $22.1 million investment to improve the health outcomes of refugees, $4.1 million will address the mental health needs of refugees and asylum seekers by investing in counselling services in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

“This is about ensuring that vulnerable refugees, who have a higher incidence of significant depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, are able to access torture and trauma counselling and culturally responsive mental health care in a timely manner,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Ms Wooldridge said the Coalition Government would work with Foundation House to improve access to specialised torture and trauma counselling in high settlement areas in regional Victoria.

“This new initiative will better address the mental health needs of refugees, including their families and unaccompanied minors,” Ms Wooldridge said.

A $1.7 million investment will support local Aboriginal-specific alcohol and drug awareness campaigns that aim to increase awareness of the social and physical harms of alcohol and drug misuse.

Ms Wooldridge said that $12 million would be allocated to continue to develop and start delivering the new integrated service delivery model, Services Connect, which has been successfully trialed in Dandenong, Geelong and the South West Coast over the past 12 months.

Services Connect brings together mental health and alcohol and other drug services with services such as child protection, public housing, disability and youth justice to address the whole range of an individual’s or family’s needs, and help people build their capabilities to improve their lives.

The Budget also includes $8.8 million in funding for a wage rise in 2013-14 for about 9,000 mental health and alcohol and drug workers as a result of a Fair Work Australia decision known as the SACS case.

As well as funding for new beds and services, the Coalition Government is also facilitating significant reform of Victoria’s community-managed mental health services and developing a new mental health act to improve mental health outcomes.

Funding in the Budget for alcohol and drug treatment services is in the context of a new Victorian whole-of-government alcohol and drug strategy and wholesale reform of Victoria’s alcohol and drug treatment services.

In 2013-14, the Coalition Government has invested a record $1.2 billion in mental health and $153 million for alcohol and drug treatment services.

Ms Wooldridge said that since coming into office, the Coalition Government has created more than 850 mental health and drug and alcohol related jobs.

$224 million to support Victorians with disability

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:40:53 +10:00

More support for more people with disability is a key feature of the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget, Minister for Disability Services and Reform Mary Wooldridge announced today.

Ms Wooldridge said the Victorian Coalition Government’s strong economic management meant the government was able to deliver a significant funding boost of $224 million in this year’s Budget, taking total disability funding up to $1.6 billion.

The announcement follows the recent signing of an agreement between the Coalition Government and the Commonwealth for a full roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – now known as DisabilityCare Australia in Victoria from 1 July 2019.

The 2013-14 Victorian Budget package for disability:

delivers $107 million for 720 new individual support packages (ISPs) for people with high support needs, and continues specialised vocational supports for young people with disability pursuing employment goals;
provides more than $62 million to help meet the increasingly complex needs of people with disability living in Government-run supported accommodation;
commits $7.9 million for capital investment in new accommodation to enable the closure of Sandhurst Residential Services, giving residents the opportunity to live within the community;
provides $4 million for an aids and equipment program for people with disability;
allocates more than $26 million for a wage rise in 2013-14 for about 13,000 disability workers as a result of a Fair Work Australia decision known as the SACS case; and
contributes $17 million in additional funding to support the Victorian launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the Barwon region on 1 July 2013, taking the Victorian Government’s total three-year investment in the launch site to more than $300 million.

Ms Wooldridge said $12 million had also been committed to continue to develop and start delivering a new integrated service delivery model, Services Connect, which had been successfully trialled in Dandenong, Geelong and the South West Coast over the past 12 months.

Services Connect brings together services such as child protection, public housing, disability, youth justice, family violence, mental health, and alcohol and drug services to address the whole range of an individual’s or family’s needs, and help people build their capabilities to improve their lives.

Ms Wooldridge said the Budget package offered people with disability, their families and carers more control and choice over the support they received to ensure it best met their specific needs.

The new ISPs are being partially funded by an increase in board and lodging fees for DHS-managed disability accommodation. This will result in fees for Government-run disability residential services being consistent across locations, and being equivalent to the average of those already operating in community sector-provided disability accommodation.

As well as ensuring fairness and equity, these changes in the fees for residents who have an accommodation place will mean that a group of people with disability, their families and carers who are currently desperately waiting on the Disability Support Register for respite, day services or accommodation, will now be able to access support.

The new fees will bring the average contribution per resident for supported accommodation to approximately $17,500 per annum. The average cost to Government to support a resident in DHS-managed supported accommodation is $128,000 per annum.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is continuing to deliver disability service reforms aimed at providing more individualised care, with a focus on innovative services,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“Through ensuring people have real choice about how they access the care they need, we are putting Victoria in a good position for the introduction of the NDIS.”

Coalition Government invests $31.8 million in new police stations

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:40:15 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government will invest $31.8 million in new or refurbished police stations as part of the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells said the investment continued the Coalition Government’s strong commitment to keeping Victorians safe.

“Today’s funding injection to upgrade and build new police facilities underpins the Coalition Government’s election promise to recruit 1,700 new police officers and deploy 940 Protective Services Officers on metropolitan and regional railway stations by 2014,” Mr Wells said.

“This Budget investment means that we are continuing to build for growth and delivering critical infrastructure to support our police and emergency services.

”New police stations will be built at Sale and Somerville, and upgraded in Mount Waverley. In addition, the operating hours at Carrum Downs will be increased to provide extra policing resources for Langwarrin.”

Mr Wells said a new police station in Somerville would meet the needs of the growing population across the Mornington Peninsula.

“In the 2011-12 Budget, as per our election commitment, the Coalition Government provided $2 million to buy the Somerville site and draw up plans for a new 24-hour police station,” Mr Wells said.

“The Coalition Government builds on that commitment in this Budget with a $14.3 million allocation to build the station.

“Similarly in Sale, in the 2011-12 Budget we provided $2.9 million to find a site and begin planning for the new 24-hour station. This was to replace the existing station which is the only 24-hour station in the Shire of Wellington and no longer fit for purpose.

“The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget provides a further $15.3 million for the construction and renewal of the Sale police station.”

Mr Wells said these were important investments for the Somerville and Sale communities, and Mount Waverley police station would receive $2.2 million to operate 24 hours a day, providing better protection for the community and accommodating the additional police officers promised by the Coalition Government.

“After a decade of Labor’s neglect, the Coalition Government is supporting Victoria Police in addressing crime in these areas with additional resources, including modern police facilities, that support the great work our police men and women do in keeping Victorians safe,” Mr Wells said.

Mr Wells said the Coalition Government was continuing to deliver on its law and order election commitments.

“Today’s announcement of new investment will ensure our police and PSOs have modern policing facilities and infrastructure that provides the capacity to grow and adapt to future demands,” Mr Wells said.

Coalition Government commits $61 million to rural fire stations

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:39:14 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government will continue its commitment to boost the state’s emergency services infrastructure by rebuilding rural fire stations, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells announced today.

“The Coalition Government is delivering on it’s commitment to upgrade 250 CFA stations over our first term in government.

“We are providing further funding of $61 million in the 2013-14 Victorian Budget to replace dilapidated and ageing rural fire stations ignored by the previous Labor Government for more than a decade,” Mr Wells said.

Mr Wells said the investment would foster growth in rural and regional Victoria and also build on the Coalition Government’s significant work to strengthen Victoria’s emergency services.

“The average total yearly spend on CFA and MFB in the last nine years of the previous Labor Government was $492 million.

“In the first two years of a Coalition Government, the average total yearly spend on the CFA and MFB was $780 million, 58 per cent higher than Labor,” Mr Wells said.

“The Coalition Government has already funded the refurbishment or replacement of 108 rural fire stations since 2011-12. This includes two stations where the CFA share facilities with VICSES.”

The 2013-14 Victorian Budget allocates $16.8 million over four years for the remediation of Fiskville and regional training grounds.

“Funding has been made available to implement actions needed to decontaminate the training college and ensure it can operate at full capacity,” Mr Wells said.

The CFA has committed to implement all 10 of the recommendations made in the Report of the Independent Fiskville Investigation, conducted by Professor Rob Joy.

The CFA has also committed to 11 further related initiatives that focus on member health and ongoing OH&S management.

“The Coalition Government is pleased that the former Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe APM has been appointed as an Independent Monitor to oversee CFA's progress in implementing the recommendations and initiatives,” Mr Wells said.

Sowing the seeds for a productive farming future

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:38:24 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government will help to secure a productive future for agriculture with new funding allocations in this year’s Victorian Budget.

The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget includes new initiatives of $4.7 million to help better protect the livestock industry from serious disease and $2.3 million to support the vital work of the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

The funds for livestock biosecurity will be spent over two years to significantly increase the industry’s defences against disease, with a particular focus on preparing for an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

“The funding in this year’s Budget will significantly enhance the livestock industry’s ability to rapidly detect and respond to a serious disease outbreak,” Mr Walsh said.

“A priority will be increasing the industry’s preparedness for an outbreak of FMD, which is a highly contagious viral disease of livestock that is widespread throughout Asia and Africa but not present in Australia.

“This budget allocation will progress Victoria’s move towards an effective electronic identification system for sheep and goats, replacing the current visual tag and paper based National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) (Sheep & Goats).

“The new funding will provide for grants to be provided to regional saleyards and processors to buy equipment for the reading of electronic tags on sheep and goats and for recording their movements on the NLIS database.

“The Department of Environment and Primary Industries will also work with industry, other departments and local government on response plans and strategies for mobilising personnel and equipment in the event of a disease outbreak.

“It is estimated that a small, three-month outbreak of FMD in Australia could cost the industry around $7.1 billion. The first year of an outbreak could cost $16 billion. We can’t afford not to be prepared.

“There are more than 60,000 livestock producers in Victoria and their livelihoods depend on adequate defences against the threat of pests and disease outbreaks. Our investment now will help protect their future.”

Mr Walsh said $2.3 million would also be spent over two years supporting the role of the Rural Financial Counselling Service who help food and fibre producers and other small rural businesses overcome financial difficulties and return to profitable operating conditions.

“Rural Financial Counsellors provide free financial counselling to food and fibre producers, commercial fishers and small rural businesses experiencing financial hardship,” Mr Walsh said.

“The Coalition Government’s funding will sustain this important service and ensure 25 full-time-equivalent Rural Financial Counsellors and two senior co-ordinators are able to continue delivering a highly specialised service across Victoria.

“The Rural Financial Counselling Services has provided extensive support to more than 13,000 Victorian businesses since 2008 and has been highly successful, with the majority of clients returning to a viable state following assistance.

Mr Walsh said the Rural Financial Counselling Service also played a significant role in the operation of the Victorian Farm Debt Mediation Scheme – a Coalition Government initiative – which required banks and other creditors to offer food and fibre producers the option of mediation before initiating debt recovery proceedings.

“The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme offers extra protection for food and fibre producers and in many instances it has been Rural Financial Counsellors who have helped negotiate a mediated outcome with creditors,” Mr Walsh said.

The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget also includes the second year of funding for the Coalition Government’s Growing Food and Fibre initiative.

Commencing in 2012, Growing Food and Fibre provides $61.4 million of additional investment over four years for enhanced biosecurity and productivity-focused research and development projects, in partnership with industry.

This year, among other projects, the continuing Growing Food and Fibre program will fund research including genome sequencing in sheep and beef cattle, best practice lamb reproduction, the development of an experimental summer fruit orchard at Tatura, and almond productivity research.

In total, more than $104 million will be spent in the Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ Agricultural Productivity and Industry Development Group on research, development, extension and biosecurity.

In 2013-14 the Victorian Coalition Government will also continue to fund the successful Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty, and will spend more than $2 million on wild dog control measures.

“The Coalition Government is committed to building for growth across regional Victoria. We have achieved this through strong economic management, maintaining our AAA credit rating and continued investment to support a productive farming future.”

$50 million for water management and planning

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:38:01 +10:00

2013-14 Victorian State Budget had delivered funding for a range of initiatives including $22.5 million for the Office of Living Victoria.

“The Office of Living Victoria is leading the way to transform how we manage our water cycles to increase the resilience of our water system and its ability to cope with an uncertain future,” Mr Walsh said.

“The funding allocated in the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget will go towards important work on water cycle research and planning, promotion of new building controls and assistance to industry with water cycle management.

“The work will make sure the use of rainfall, stormwater and wastewater is maximised to reduce the need for future large-scale pipelines, desalination plants and pumping and treatment plants.

“With ongoing climate variability, the Coalition Government is taking a sensible, flexible approach to managing our water resources based on a range of solutions,” Mr Walsh said.

The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget delivers a further $4 million for urgent maintenance, repair and replacement works for the State Observation Bore Network.

“As part of this initiative, observation bores have been identified that have been damaged and have the potential to fail, not only leading to flooding by water coming up from underground, but also to possible contamination to aquifers,” Mr Walsh said.

“Preventing the bores from failing now will save money in the long run.”

A further $4.3 million over three years will be delivered in the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget in response to recommendations from the Victorian Floods Review.

“The funding will go towards flood mitigation works for Creswick, for the development of the State Flood Management Strategy and to commence better flood information mapping for priority rural areas,” Mr Walsh said.

Also in the Budget is $3 million for work associated with the Murray-Darling Basin.

These funds will go towards the development of modelling over three years in relation to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to minimise the complexity of water sharing arrangements and ensure the maximum volume of offsets are identified.

“In this Budget the Coalition Government has also delivered $16 million over three years for the first stage of the modernisation of the Macalister Irrigation District,” Mr Walsh said.

“Together with a co-contribution of a further $16 million from irrigators, this funding will see the start of important modernisation works that will improve service delivery, enhance farm productivity, improve waterway and estuarine health, and extend the life of irrigation infrastructure.

“Today’s Budget is about building for growth in rural and regional Victoria. It is about delivering better infrastructure and better water management services, and this can only be achieved through the responsible economic management of the Coalition Government,” Mr Walsh said.

$8.2 million for new Game Management Authority

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:37:18 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government has allocated $8.2 million in the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget over four years to establish and operate a new independent authority to improve the effectiveness of game management and promote responsible game hunting.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the establishment of the Game Management Authority fulfils a 2010 election commitment to better co-ordinate

game management efforts and improve opportunities for game hunting across Victoria.

“The funding allocation in this year’s Budget means that a total of $17.6 million will be spent on game management in Victoria over the next four years.

“The new Game Management Authority will help to provide better services for hunters, facilitate the growth in hunting businesses in regional areas and deliver better public land, habitat management, and broader conservation outcomes.”

“There are 43,000 game licence holders in Victoria and the Coalition Government is committed to provide a level of financial support to game management that reflects its popularity and importance to rural and regional economies.”

Mr Walsh said the new authority would have transparent and accountable governance, with a skills-based board that reports annually to Parliament.

“The Game Management Authority will be accountable for the regulation and enforcement of game hunting activities, and will improve access to hunting areas and facilities that support game hunting,” Mr Walsh said.

“The Authority will also make recommendations on the control of pest animals.

“It will also promote responsible and orderly hunting of game species through improved education and training of hunters, leading to better quality hunting opportunities and animal welfare outcomes.”

The Coalition Government has been able to deliver this election commitment through responsible economic management and a commitment to building for growth and strengthening Victoria’s economy.

“Game hunting currently generates around $100 million of economic activity to Victoria annually and the new authority will help to create new regional development opportunities from interstate and overseas hunters,” Mr Walsh said.

The Game Management Authority will commence operations on 1 July 2014.

New arts programs to drive innovation and public benefit

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:36:45 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government funding programs for arts organisations and individual artists will be streamlined, more strategically focused and boosted, with major changes announced today by Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria.

Ms Victoria said the changes – including the introduction of a new contestable VicArts Grants program – complete the Coalition Government’s reforms of the way it invests in the arts sector through Arts Victoria.

“The Coalition Government has been looking at ways to streamline processes and target the State’s investment in the arts in a way that ensures the greatest public benefit,” Ms Victoria said.

“Following the introduction of Arts Victoria’s Organisations Investment Program in 2012, and the refresh of the Regional Development Program in 2011, this third stage will revitalise the way we invest in creative projects and the careers of Victorian artists, and provide a new strategic investment capability.

“The new VicArts Grants program will replace eight separate funding categories, which together created 17 new funding rounds a year.

“Bringing together these categories will allow greater scope for applicants and reduce administrative duplication at Arts Victoria.

“Our independent arts sector has a reputation as the most innovative in the country and our artists are diverse, continually pushing boundaries with their work.

“This new simplified program will further encourage innovation and new ideas by removing the arbitrary barriers of the old programs,” Ms Victoria said.

While the VicArts Grants program will be broad in scope, it will specify priority areas of funding which may change over time.

“As with the Organisations Investment Program, which has been welcomed by the sector, this approach will provide flexibility within the framework of one program to respond to emerging sector needs and Government priorities,” Ms Victoria said.

A new Strategic Initiatives program will umbrella a series of targeted activities that deliver on specific Government priorities, which will see increased investment in arts and education partnerships and dedicated funding to further Victoria’s Asia-focused program, amongst other initiatives.

Ms Victoria said the new programs now completed Arts Victoria’s funding strategy, comprising four main areas for investment:

The $33 million Organisations Investment Program, which was introduced in 2012 and provides multi-year funding – over three, six or nine years – for independent, small to medium and major performing arts organisations. An additional $2.5 million has been committed to this program over the next two years.

The $5.7 million Regional Development Program, which brought together multi-year support for regional arts facilities, and the development and support of regional touring programs. This ensures Victoria has an active and vibrant statewide network of professional regional performing arts centres and galleries that enliven their communities and present diverse and high quality programs.

The $3 million VicArts Grants Program, which consolidates Arts Victoria’s contestable grants programs for the independent arts sector into a simpler, more flexible program that encourages creative innovation, with two contestable funding rounds a year.

Strategic Initiatives, which will include targeted support and programs to address strategic Government objectives. Initially, this will include the creation of a new Asia engagement program, strengthening Victoria’s leadership in arts in education, and a continuing focus on the Government’s critical four year investment in the Victorian College of the Arts, literature initiatives, and Indigenous arts development.

“Since the creation of Arts Victoria 40 years ago, government funding has played an important role in the growth and development of our arts sector, in nurturing local creative talent, and ensuring there are quality arts experiences available for Victorians across the State,” Ms Victoria said.

“This streamlined suite of programs positions us well for a new era of investment in the arts, and a new generation of Victorian talent.”

Full program details for the 2013/14 funding year will be available from 1 July 2013.

Budget delivers funding for a fresh approach at the State Library of Victoria

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:35:52 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government will invest $3 million over the next two years into Victoria’s oldest cultural institution, the State Library of Victoria, to assist its bold transformation into the public library of the future, Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria said.

Announcing the funding as part of the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget, Ms Victoria said the Coalition Government was building for growth and that the State Library of Victoria was one of the State’s most valued, utilised and visited cultural institutions.

“Not only is it a Melbourne landmark and place of deep historical and cultural importance, the State Library is a rich resource and a vibrant, active place that serves thousands of students, researchers, information seekers and visitors every week,” Ms Victoria said.

“As technology continues to change the way we access, engage with and use information, the Library has the potential to play an even more critical role as a cultural and knowledge centre for all Victorians.”

Under the new leadership of Library Board President John Wylie and CEO Sue Roberts, the Library is poised to redefine its role in a contemporary society and a digital age.

“This funding will help the Library to build its organisational capacity to meet the challenges of a changing environment and an increasingly diverse and information hungry community, as well as being a leader in the discovery of knowledge and ideas,” Ms Victoria said.

The Library’s new strategic vision will see:

increased services and programs for children and families;
new outreach programs for Victorians in regional and outer-metropolitan areas;
the creation of a responsive digital strategy with a focus on mobile and emerging technologies and online learning;
an acceleration of the digitisation program and the development of a digital collection; and
a greater focus on the Victorian and Australian heritage content of the Library’s collection.

The President of the Library Board of Victoria Mr John Wylie welcomed the investment.

“The State Library has exciting plans to grow our collection, increase our digital platform to make the collection more accessible and to invigorate our program of exhibitions and events,” Mr Wylie said.

“The support of the Victorian Coalition Government will enable us to realise our vision to be a place where all Victorians can discover, learn, create and connect.”

$29 million investment in Arts initiatives

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:35:21 +10:00

Victoria’s reputation as a leading centre for arts, creativity and culture, will be backed with $28.9 million in new funding delivered in the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget, Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria said.

“Victoria will continue to innovate and lead the way in the arts with further investment in exciting new visual and performing arts programs, strengthening of the independent arts sector, supporting ambitious new directions at key cultural institutions and maintaining and improving the State’s cultural infrastructure,” Ms Victoria said.

“From large blockbuster events to innovative grassroots creative activity and top-class facilities, Victoria has a diverse and healthy arts scene that contributes to the liveability, prosperity and international profile of our State. This Budget recognises the importance of our arts and cultural sector – as a driver of innovation, cultural tourism and the economy.

“The Arts are an integral part of Victoria’s culture and lie at the heart of our communities. The Coalition Government has invested $4.5 million over the next two years to enable the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) to introduce a new summer season of major exhibitions and programs, with a focus on contemporary art and design.

“In the same way that the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series has, over the last decade, changed the face of winter in Melbourne and been a proven hit with Victorians and visitors, this new summer series is set to invigorate summer in the city.

“The series will commence this summer with ‘Melbourne Now’ – the most ambitious exhibition to date focused on local contemporary artists, and in fact the largest curated exhibition in the NGV’s history.

“This exhibition will shine a bright light on our local creative talent – from art and design, to architecture, music, film and fashion,” Ms Victoria said.

The NGV will also receive $4 million in capital funding to renew its gallery spaces at both NGV International and NGV Australia, including improving the visitor experience, creating a new exhibition space and illuminating the St Kilda Road gallery façade at night.

The Coalition Government will also invest $2.5 million over the next year to strengthen Victoria’s independent arts sector – the engine room of the arts in Victoria. This will include an additional $1 million per annum for Arts Victoria’s new Organisations Investment Program and other strategic initiatives.

“This program will support a range of arts and cultural organisations that play a critical role in delivering programs and events, supporting artists, driving artistic innovation and engaging audiences across the state,” Ms Victoria said.

Other arts initiatives in the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget include:

$5 million for the Arts and Cultural Facilities Maintenance Fund – which supports maintenance works at State-owned arts facilities that house a range of Government and non-Government arts organisations;
$4 million over two years for programming at Arts Centre Melbourne, including mainstage performances, family and education programs, and free and low cost events;
$3 million over two years to build organisational capacity at the State Library of Victoria, during a period of rejuvenation;
$2.9 million to upgrade assets at the Public Record Office Victoria to ensure the safe-keeping of – and enable access to – Victoria’s important records and heritage; and
$250,000 over the next two years to enable Music Victoria – the State’s peak body for contemporary music – so that it can best champion, promote and support Victorian music.

$7 million to continue financial counselling

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:34:32 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government is investing more than $7 million from the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget to continue financial counselling services for Victorians experiencing economic hardship for a further 12 months, Minister for Consumer Affairs Heidi Victoria said.

Thirty-four Victorian community agencies are funded to provide financial assistance and help to approximately 40,000 Victorians per year in face-to-face sessions and over the phone.

Financial counselling is also provided by the statewide phone financial counselling service MoneyHelp, a not-for-profit service supported by the Victorian and Australian Governments, and the Generalist Financial Counselling program.

“Financial counsellors are free, independent and, most importantly, confidential and can help you work out a budget and payment strategies, and support you by negotiating directly with your creditors,” Ms Victoria said.

“For those Victorians concerned with making ends meet, a financial counsellor can explain your financial options and the potential consequences if you cannot pay bills, fines or other debts.”

Victorians experiencing financial problems can contact MoneyHelp online or by phone for initial advice and referral to one of the many community agencies funded to provide face-to-face financial counselling across Victoria.

“Last year, MoneyHelp assisted more than 10,000 people and between June and December 2012, 5,437 individuals sought help via the MoneyHelp number for confidential financial counselling services,” Ms Victoria said.

“Since the establishment of the MoneyHelp phone service nearly four years ago, the number of individuals assisted each year has continued to increase and in the last six months of 2012, the website received more than 70,000 visits, an average of 87 per cent of which were from new visitors.

“Financial counsellors have knowledge in a range of areas including consumer credit law, debt enforcement practices, bankruptcy, industry hardship policies and government concession frameworks, and it is important that Victorians are able to access information about their legal rights and options in situations such as bankruptcy,” Ms Victoria said.

If you are experiencing financial pressures you can access help at www.moneyhelp.org.au or call a MoneyHelp financial counsellor on 1800 007 007.

New $2 million funding to drive youth enterprise

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:34:09 +10:00

More than 200,000 young Victorians will be supported to get involved in their communities as a result of the 2013-2014 Victorian State Budget.

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith today announced $2 million over four years for a new business mentoring and training program for young people, investment in youth social enterprises and opportunities for mentoring and volunteering.

Young people will be encouraged to get creative through a raft of festivals, events and activities, engaged in business and training and involved in helping shape their communities’ future.

Programs aimed at improving young people’s connection to their communities, especially in rural and regional Victoria also figure prominently in this year’s Budget.

“In a growing Victoria, our young people are vitally important,” Mr Smith said.

“This year’s Budget continues the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment and vision to ensuring that all young Victorians experience healthy, active and fulfilling lives and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

“The focus this year is on youth enterprise and mentoring, and will see investment for new business ideas and training,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said there would also be continued support to help ensure a safe environment for Victoria’s school leaver celebrations.

About 140,000 young Victorians are also expected to get involved and creative, through the highly successful FReeZA program of musical, cultural and artistic events, and skills development.

2013-2014 Victorian State Budget funding will include $450,000 per annum for:

a business mentoring program – to connect experienced business mentors to young people who wish to establish or improve their business;
a small business training and development program – to focus on business development, management and leadership skills;
social enterprise – an integrated package of training, support and investment for new social enterprise ideas; and
sponsorship of a Victorian Young Achiever Award – to promote excellence in youth mentoring, volunteering and enterprise.

A further $50,000 per annum will also go to support the safer management of local school leaver celebrations.

These programs are in addition to funding provided to programs such as:

Advance – encourages students to volunteer in their community whilst gaining practical skills and training opportunities;
·Be Heard! – grants to rural and regional community radio stations to increase participation of young people in radio;
Engage! – grants to support volunteering, mentoring, skills and training and social enterprise projects across the state;
FReeZA – providing young people with the opportunity to attend affordable and accessible music and cultural events. All events take place in safe, fully supervised, drug, alcohol and smoke free venues across Victoria.
National Youth Week – supports events across the state celebrating the contribution of young Victorians;
Shape It! – encourages greater participation of young people in rural and regional communities through programs such as Change It Up and Local Government Rural Youth Inclusion Grants;
Scouts & Guides Program – improving facilities, enhancing volunteer training and encouraging participation of CALD communities in Scouts and Guides across the state;
Youth Central – the Government’s website for young people that provides youth-friendly and relevant information ‘for young people by young people’;
Youth Parliament – an annual event that provides young people with the opportunity to draft legislation and debate issues important to young people;

“In line with our Youth Statement Engage, Involve, Create, the Coalition Government continues to invest in young people, ensuring access to a range of broad and interesting programs designed to get young people involved,” Mr Smith said.

“It’s important that our young people are engaged ,and in order to do that we need to continue to provide services that meet their needs and create better outcomes.”

For more information go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au

Budget delivers to ensure no ‘wasted’ opportunities

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:33:25 +10:00

The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget has delivered $12 million to implement a range of initiatives from the Victorian Coalition Government’s recently released Getting full value: Victoria’s Waste and Resource Recovery Policy.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the policy represented the Coalition Government’s 30 year vision to better deal with waste, improve recycling rates and further protect the health of communities and the environment.

“The Coalition Government is determined to improve the co-ordination of waste management infrastructure and planning across the state and in turn grow the economy by unlocking the hidden value from recovered materials,” Mr Smith said.

“Part of the $12 million will go towards developing and implementing strategies to create the best possible conditions for resource recovery markets, including organics, to grow.

“Funding will also go to improve the co-ordination of waste management and resource recovery infrastructure and planning through support for the Victorian Statewide Infrastructure Plan, which will help inform investment decisions.

“The Victorian Budget will also focus on improving the environmental performance of landfills across Victoria to ensure they only treat residual waste and public health risks from closed landfills are minimised.”

Mr Smith said the Victorian Budget would also ensure substantial on-ground action was taken to stop littering and illegal dumping in our communities.

“As part of the $12 million, the Budget will expand the EPA’s Illegal Dumping Strike Force and other litter initiatives, ensuring there are more people on the ground to tackle illegal dumping at the source.”

The $12 million also includes funding to implement the Victorian Litter Strategy and a household food waste education program to divert organic waste from landfills, which will also help deal with odour impacts.

“Other states are following Victoria’s lead on waste management and resource recovery. We have shown our commitment to tackling the issue from all angles – both preventing littering, and improving waste management,” Mr Smith said.

“The partnerships we develop with industry and local government will help reduce Victoria’s waste generation while our population continues to grow.

“Responsible economic management and ensuring the fundamentals of the Victorian economy are sound, means the Coalition Government can invest in better infrastructure and better services.”

The waste management policy Getting full value: Victoria’s Waste and Resource Recovery Policy was released last month and was developed with extensive research and consultation with the waste industry, local and state government, business and the community.

$7 million to improve safety on fire affected land

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:31:51 +10:00

The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget will deliver $7 million over two years to improve safety on public land that has been burnt in bushfires.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the money would be used to remove hazardous trees damaged by fire that pose a threat to the safety of forest and park users.

Funding will go towards removing trees that have been burnt, removing limbs of trees, erecting warnings for public land users where the trees can’t be removed and potentially realigning parts of roads and tracks.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to responsible economic management to enable us to increase investment in treating hazardous tress damaged by fire,” Mr Smith said.

“Over the past 10 years around 3.3 million hectares of public parks and forests have been burnt by bushfires including the Alpine fires in 2002/03, the 2006/2007 Great Divide fires and the Black Saturday fires in 2009.

“The number of so called fire-killed trees damaged in these fires is significant, but an effort needs to be made to reduce the risk they may pose to public land users.

“Over time, the dead trees weaken and fall, creating safety hazards for those nearby and potentially blocking important roads and access tracks.

“This initiative will focus on affected roads and tracks, high usage locations and areas of greatest risk,” Mr Smith said.

The majority of the felled timber will remain on the forest floor to provide fauna habitat and nutrients to the soil as the trees decompose, while still allowing space for the growth of vegetation.

“The Coalition Government takes seriously its responsibility to manage public land for the benefit of the community and to respond to emerging challenges,” Mr Smith said.

“Safety is vitally important for recreational park and forest users and also the people who work in Victoria’s parks and forests such as firefighters undertaking fire suppression or planned burns.

“Healthy and safe public land is vital to conserve our biodiversity and build for growth in our economy. It is also important it is accessible to support our wellbeing and liveability.”

Mr Smith said the new funding was a direct response to the Coalition Government’s Environmental Partnerships statement released late last year.

“The plan identified eight key environmental priority areas, including the need to ‘manage risks to our community and landscape from bushfire and floods’”, Mr Smith said.

Coalition Government delivers vital infrastructure for regional Victoria

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:34:35 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government is building for growth in regional Victoria, with the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget investing hundreds of millions into regional cities and country communities.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said responsible financial management by the Coalition Government had enabled it to invest in high-quality regional infrastructure, health, education and tourism.

“Across our great State, the Coalition Government is building for growth, delivering major infrastructure funding to transform our regional transport, health, safety and agriculture industries to maintain liveability for future generations of regional Victorians,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Victorian economy is the best performing in Australia outside resource-rich Western Australia. We have a triple A rating with a stable outlook despite severely reduced stamp duty and massive write downs in Federal GST income which see us cross-subsidise other States, and 11 years of wasteful spending by Daniel Andrews and the former Labor Government, including the money-draining desalination plant.”

Highlights in the Coalition Government’s Budget include $110 million for the Port of Hastings, $81.5 million for regional hospitals and health services, $61 million for rural fire stations and an extra $41.3 million for country schools.

Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government was delivering a $50.2 million 32- bed community hospital at Waurn Ponds, $10 million for radiotherapy services in Warrnambool, and $18.3 million to re-establish a range of acute health services at Numurkah Hospital after severe flood damage.

The Coalition Government is also building Australia’s biggest ever regional hospital – the $630 million Bendigo hospital.

“People in regional Victoria will soon have better access to hospitals and medical services thanks to an injection of extra funding into country health from the Coalition Government,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government was investing $179 million for eight new X’trapolis trains to be fitted out by Ballarat-based Alstom, securing more than 130 direct and indirect regional jobs.

“This is the sort of smart spending which is the hallmark of the Coalition Government,” Mr Ryan said.

"We are providing money to drive growth, create more jobs and career opportunities, and attract people to move to regional towns and cities.”

Big-ticket investment in transport for regional and rural Victoria included a new $22 million Grovedale train station, $8.8 million to improve public transport access in the northern suburbs of Bendigo, and $62 million over five years to replace the existing V/Line non-urban train radio system with a digital radio communications system to improve communications and reduce travel delays.

Some $28 million allocated for targeted road upgrades in the state’s regions – addressing key transport bottlenecks, $10 million to plan and prepare for the Kilmore-Wallan bypass and $7 million for sealing the remaining section of the Omeo Highway.

More than $41 million would go towards regional education, including $8 million for stage two construction of new learning spaces at Phoenix P-12 Community College in Ballarat.

The Belvoir Wodonga Special Development School received $6 million for new classrooms and buildings as part of its relocation to the state's northeast and an additional $6 million in the 2013-14 State Budget and homeless people in Bendigo will benefit from a new $4 million, 26-unit medium density social housing complex.

Mr Ryan said families in regional and rural areas would get their share of the Coalition Government's record investment in public safety and law and order.

$15.3 million will be spent on a new police station at Sale, $2.5 million to upgrade Shepparton Magistrates’ Court, and a new 40-bed unit will be built at Barwon Prison as part of the Coalition Government's $131 million commitment to strengthen Victoria’s corrections system.

Around 250 CFA fire stations will share in $118 million worth of upgrades or rebuilds, with an extra $4.3 million to protect country homes and farms from flooding through a new State Flood Management Strategy. Another $34 million would be spent improving safety with an escalation of planned burning activity to 275,000 hectares in the next two years.

Mr Ryan said key regional industries such as agriculture were being supported with investment in on-farm productivity and livestock biosecurity.

Examples included $16 million for the Macalister Irrigation District, $4.7 million for rapid response to foot and mouth disease outbreaks, and $19 million to attract new greenfield mineral exploration by reducing barriers to development in the earth resources sector.

An $8 million tourism campaign will be delivered to drive regional tourism, while raising awareness interstate and internationally, of Victoria’s regional destinations and experiences.

“This Budget is about boosting the economy and creating jobs across Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars will be injected into local economies across the state, helping maintain our prosperity and growth and keeping regional towns strong.”

Mr Ryan said funding announced in the 2013-14 State Budget was in addition to the Coalition Government's $1 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) – a record eight-year investment in the regions to deliver a greater quality of life, new opportunities and increased prosperity to all Victorians.

“Across Victoria, the RGF has so far invested a total of more than $280 million into 900 projects worth more than $900 million, expected to create 3,700 direct jobs and a further 3,800 indirect jobs.

“This Budget will not only benefit regional Victoria, but the prosperity of the whole state,” Mr Ryan said.

$16 million to drive major investment in Victoria

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:18:46 +10:00

A new Office of State Development will be established to drive Victorian growth and investment with funding of $16 million over four years, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Peter Ryan said today.

Mr Ryan said the new Office within the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation will focus on identifying and attracting investment opportunities to Victoria and facilitating significant projects that require a whole-of-government approach.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is building for growth and pursuing major new initiatives that drive growth, investment and jobs for the long-term benefit of Victorian families,” Mr Ryan said.

“The new Office will be an interface for business and industry and cut through red tape by facilitating across government the development of significant projects in Victoria.

“This funding highlights the Coalition Government’s determination to identify and capture significant investment opportunities to Victoria, in Australia and internationally.”

Mr Ryan said a strong economy will generate the confidence, investment and employment vital for Victoria’s ongoing prosperity.

“The Coalition Government is determined to extract the maximum benefit out of every dollar invested in Victoria, be it private or government investment,” Mr Ryan said.

“Responsible financial management allows us to invest strongly in Victoria’s future.

“With competition for investment and employment opportunities becoming increasingly fierce, the Coalition Government’s resolve to listen to business and respond to their needs is vital.

“This approach builds on the State’s competitive strengths, including a diverse and flexible economy, a highly skilled workforce, strong export performance and immense liveability.

“The establishment of this major investment focus is a key action in the Coalition Government’s vision to secure Victoria’s position not just as a leading state, but a regional economic centre, benefiting from and contributing to the Asian Century.

Victoria’s aviation sector set to fly

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:18:12 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government will invest $4.5 million over the next two years in new initiatives to support the development of Victoria’s world-class aviation and aerospace sector.

Minister for the Aviation Industry Gordon Rich-Phillips said Victoria is the national leader in aviation and aerospace and the new budget funding will help maintain and build for future growth of the sector.

“Victoria leads Australia in aviation and aerospace, and the Coalition Government will continue to invest in infrastructure, skills and capability development to ensure we maintain that position.”

One of the key challenges for aviation and aerospace is the availability of skills, and the new funding will support the development of programs to encourage new entrants into aviation related careers.

Victoria also has great strengths in aviation training, manufacturing, research and development, and maintenance repair and overhaul.

The Coalition Government is committed to working with industry to drive collaboration and integration across those sectors.

Building on the success of Victoria’s trade mission program, the Coalition Government will focus on investment attraction and export promotion for the aviation and aerospace sectors, including our highly regarded pilot training sector.

This new funding builds upon the Coalition Government’s Regional Aviation Fund, launched in 2011 to assist with the upgrade of aviation infrastructure at regional airports throughout Victoria.

The Coalition Government has been able to increase investment in the aviation and aerospace sectors through responsible economic management and maintaining a AAA credit rating.

“The funding package announced today further strengthens the Coalition Government’s commitment to building Victoria’s aviation and aerospace industries for the future growth of the State,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

Coalition delivers $19 million for technology

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:16:35 +10:00

The Victorian Coalition Government has allocated $19 million over four years towards the technology portfolio as part of the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget, Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips announced today.

Mr Rich-Phillips said that the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget provided new funding to support the implementation of the Victorian Government ICT Strategy, announced earlier this year.

“The ICT Strategy provides high-level direction on the use of ICT to deliver better government services and improve ICT management in Victoria and is supported by 50 specific actions,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

“New funding will allow us to deliver on the key actions as set out in the ICT strategy and implement new initiatives to improve industry engagement and outcomes in ICT procurement, as well as improving management of ICT projects.

“The allocation of $19 million over four years for technology in the 2013-14 Victorian State Budget also supports the extension of core initiatives under Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future – Information and Communication Technology.

“This includes support for growing our local companies and other industry development activities and ICT skills initiatives.

The Coalition Government is committed to a strong and competitive ICT industry in Victoria. Responsible financial management by the Coalition Government has enabled increased investment to further strengthen and grow capacity in Victoria’s ICT industry.

“The new allocation of funding for ICT initiatives demonstrates the Coalition Government’s commitment to the Victorian ICT sector and the role of ICT in driving innovation and productivity within government and across the economy,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.