Veterans and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2015

I rise to speak on the Veterans and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2015. I am very pleased to make a contribution, particularly given the timely nature of the passage of this bill in the lead-up to the remembrance activities that will occur in relation to Gallipoli later this month. I also take this opportunity to…

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE 2015 VICTORIAN TRAINING AWARDS

Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today encouraged students who have achieved their training goals to nominate for the 2015 Victorian Training Awards. Now in their 61st year, the Awards celebrate the achievements of Victoria’s training system and recognise collaboration and innovation by students, teachers, employers and training providers from across the state. Ms Tierney…

SMALL BUSINESS BUS BRINGS ADVICE ON WHEELS TO WARRNAMBOOL

Small business operators in the Warrnambool area can access free mentoring, support and information about Victorian Government services when the Small Business Bus visits on Thursday 9 April 2015. Minister for Small Business, Adem Somyurek, said the Andrews Labor Government is doubling its mobile support for small business with a second Small Business Bus now…

ENTRIES OPEN FOR 10th VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS ART AWARDS

Indigenous artists across the state are invited to be part of the 10th anniversary of the Victorian Indigenous Art Awards. Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley, today called for entries to the awards, which have grown from strength to strength since being established by the Victorian Government in 2005. The Member for Western Victoria, Gayle…

FUNDING TO HELP LOCALS PRESERVE THEIR ENVIRONMENT

Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today welcomed the Andrews Labor Government’s $3.2 million commitment to ensure the funding of Victoria’s 68 Landcare facilitator positions for another four years. Facilitators perform the vital role of building community capacity, assisting communities to deliver local action, facilitate effective participation in Landcare activities and enable groups to…

DUPLICATION OF PIONEER ROAD BREAKS NEW GROUND

The Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney has welcomed the $12.5 million start of works of Pioneer Road in Waurn Ponds this week. Motorists and pedestrians will be the big winners from the upgrade of Pioneer Road by reduced congestion, improved access in and out of the busy shopping and recreational precinct, as well as…

DUPLICATION OF PIONEER ROAD BREAKS NEW GROUND

The Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney has welcomed the $12.5 million start of works of Pioneer Road in Waurn Ponds this week. Motorists and pedestrians will be the big winners from the upgrade of Pioneer Road by reduced congestion, improved access in and out of the busy shopping and recreational precinct, as well as…

Auditor-General: Public Hospital Audits 2013-14

I rise this evening to make a statement on the Auditor-General’s report on the results of the 2013–14 audits of public hospitals. I begin by saying that this report outlines severe concerns regarding the financial sustainability of many public hospitals in this state. It covers the previous financial year and the effect this has had…

Bob Pettit Reserve

My constituency matter today is for the Minister for Education and it is in relation to the Bob Pettit Reserve in Jan Juc. The Bob Pettit Reserve is a much-loved and much-used piece of open space for children playing, walking dogs, fitness activities and formal competition sport, amongst other things. The minister will recall that…

Defence procurement office

On Wednesday, 11 March, the Premier and the Minister for Industry were at Deakin University to announce the new Geelong defence procurement office. The procurement office will boost our defence industry and ensure that Victoria gets its fair share of defence work through marketing the skills and capacity of Victorian and Geelong manufacturing as well as…

Hayden and Jasmin Findlay

The Horticulture Farmer of the Year Award went to Hayden and Jasmin Findlay, whose organic food production at Ravens Creek Farm is raising the bar for demand of clean green food. I look forward to hearing more about their continued leadership in the western Victoria agricultural community.

Brad and Bec Couch

There is no denying the importance of food production on our ability to produce high quality food in a competitive environment, but it is very tough. Farmers day in, day out, deal with a whole range of factors that are beyond their control, but many still have the energy to be at the forefront of…

Portland National School building

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education, James Merlino, and it is in relation to the Portland National School building, which is located on the Portland Primary School site. It is of architectural significance as one of only around 23 surviving examples of early National School buildings constructed in Victoria between 1851…

Summary Offences Amendment (Move-on Laws) Bill 2015

I rise to speak on the Summary Offences Amendment (Move-on Laws) Bill 2015. The bill is essentially about restoring the rights that were taken away from Victorians by the previous government. The move-on laws introduced by the previous government were a direct attack on the democratic rights of Victorians, and I argue they were completely…

Bunjil Lookout road signage

On Friday, 29 February, I was one amongst many who opened the Bunjil lookout at Maude in my electorate. Many, many hours of work have been put into this project by Maude and Steiglitz community members, and significant money was contributed by local and state governments. It is a wonderful local cultural asset and tourist area…

Delma Clapp and Rosemary Malone

I take this opportunity to acknowledge two women in Western Victoria Region who were recently inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll for Women. The first of these is Delma Clapp of Warrnambool. Delma Clapp is the founding member of Emma House Domestic Violence Services — the first women’s refuge in Warrnambool. Her voluntary work in the…

South West TAFE

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Training and Skills, Mr Steve Herbert, and is in relation to South West TAFE. A couple of weeks ago the minister and I were fortunate to meet with industry leaders at the Warrnambool campus of South West TAFE to talk about their skill and training…

Bannockburn P-12 School

My constituency question is to the Minister for Education, and it is in relation to the government’s election commitment to build a P–12 school at Bannockburn. I was pleased to see Premier Andrews announce the tendering process for the school on the 5 February. That is an important step towards the implementation of our election…

University Fees

With the beginning of the university year upon us, many Victorians will be excited to start a new phase of life, while others will be returning for another year to achieve their chosen degree. However, along with that excitement, there are many students who are very nervous about the Abbot federal government’s plans for university…

Pako Festa

On Saturday, 28 February, tens of thousands of people will converge around Pakington Street, Geelong, to celebrate the 33rd Diversitat Pako Festa. Pako Festa is the largest free celebration of multiculturalism in Australia. People attend the festival and enjoy cultural performances, activities, food from all over the world and artists from all walks of life.…

Renewable Energy Target

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Energy and Resources, Ms D’Ambrosio, and it is in relation to the renewable energy target (RET) and the renewable energy industry. To give some background, the RET was established in 2001 to ensure that 20 per cent of Australia’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2020. Since…

Back to Work Bill

I am very pleased to stand here this evening and speak on the Back to Work Bill 2014. This bill was tabled just prior to Christmas and is the foundation stone that Labor members brought before the Victorian public because we understood that Victorians were hurting. We understood that the level of unemployment in this…

Wendy Pearl

I rise to pay tribute to Wendy Eleanor Pearl, who died late last year. The massive attendance at the mass of thanksgiving held at St Francis Xavier Church in Corio on 30 December 2014 was an indication of the deep love and widespread respect in which Wendy was held by the people of Geelong and…

SMALL BUSINESS BUS BRINGS ADVICE ON WHEELS TO TORQUAY

Small business operators in the Torquay area can access free mentoring, support andinformation about Victorian Government services when the Small Business Bus visits on Tuesday 17 March 2015. Minister for Small Business, Adem Somyurek, said the Andrews Labor Government isdoubling its mobile support for small business with a second Small Business Bus now delivering valuable…

$2 MILLION TO BE SPENT TO STRENGTHEN BRIDGES ON GLENELG HIGHWAY AND PORTLAND-CASTERTON ROAD

The Andrews Labor Government will strengthen bridges along major regional freight corridors through the Stronger Country Bridges Program. $35.8 million in funding will be fast-tracked to strengthen 48 bridges in regionalVictoria, which will reduce transport costs for freight and increase productivity. Members for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford and Gayle Tierney today announced that $2million would…

South West TAFE

 Four years of savage cuts to our TAFE system under the coalition government left South West TAFE on its knees and in deficit. However, the staff and management of this great institution are celebrating once again after the Andrews Labor government committed $4 million in rescue funding last week. Under the coalition government funding was slashed,…

Auditor-General: Additional School Costs For Families

This afternoon I would like to make a contribution on the Victorian Auditor General’s report on additional school costs for families. In short this report examines whether funding adequately supports the delivery of free education in this state, whether schools appropriately manage parent payments to support free instruction and whether the Department of Education and…

VET FUNDING REVIEW TO FIX TAFE SYSTEM

Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP has welcomed the Andrews Labor Government’s VET Funding Review following the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services released on Friday. The Report showed Victoria spent just $9.36 per hour on vocational training in 2013 – thelowest of any state or territory and down from $11.36 in 2011. The…

School Completion Rates

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Education, Mr Merlino, and relates to school attainment and retention rates in south western Victoria. As the minister would be aware, the completion of secondary school has become more influential in determining the opportunities a young person will have available to them now and in the…

LABOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING BOOST FOR SOUTH WEST

The Andrews Labor Government is rebuilding Victoria’s struggling TAFE system, with South West TAFE Institute of TAFE receiving a $4 million boost from the first $20million of the emergency TAFE Rescue Fund. Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert said the emergency funding was the startof the Labor Government’s work to rebuild public TAFE institutes,…

LABOR GOVERNMENT STEPS IN TO SAVE SOUTH WEST TAFE

The Andrews Labor Government is rebuilding Victoria’s struggling TAFE system, withSouth West Institute of TAFE to share in the first $20 million of emergencyfunding to save campuses at risk of collapse. New figures have revealed the extent of damage of the Coalition’s cuts to TAFE,with forecast losses of $71.8 million across the sector for 2014.…

LABOR GOVERNMENT STEPS IN TO SAVE SOUTH WEST TAFE

The Andrews Labor Government is rebuilding Victoria’s struggling TAFE system, with South West Institute of TAFE to share in the first $20 million of emergency funding to save campuses at risk of collapse. New figures have revealed the extent of damage of the Coalition’s cuts to TAFE, with forecast losses of $71.8 million across the…

Police Numbers – Geelong

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. It is in relation to a media release dated 15 July 2014 from the member for South Barwon in the other place, Andrew Katos, claiming that there has been a major increase in police numbers in the Geelong region. In fact the media…

Ann Nichol House

 I wish to register my dismay at the government’s handling of the Ann Nichol House aged-care facility at Portarlington. Ann Nichol House has been an important part of the fabric of the North Bellarine community for many years. It was established based on a need in the community that had to be met, and the…

Auditor-General: Coordinating Public Transport

I will make some comments on the Auditor-General’s report on coordinating public transport which was tabled in Parliament in August. I begin by saying that this report points to the ineffectiveness of Victoria’s public transport network and the sluggishness of progress to improve public transport services and connectivity by the Napthine government. The report found…

Western Victoria Region government performance

This being the last sitting week of the 57th Parliament, I acknowledge a number of communities for their endeavours to advance Western Victoria. I congratulate the staff, parents and students at Timboon P-12 School who ran a great campaign over the last three years to get funding commitments from the Napthine government. It is clear…

TAFE Funding

For more than  three  years Victorians have watched the Napthine coalition government systematically destroy Victoria’s TAFE system.  Victorians  have  seen  valuable  teachers and staff  sacked,  campuses closed, courses cut and fees go  through  the  roof.  We  have  seen educational opportunities to get ahead in life or make a new start for  both young and older…

Auditor-General: Prisoner Transportation

I rise  to  make  a  contribution  on  the Auditor-General’s report into prisoner  transportation,  which  was tabled on 11 June. Each year in Victoria a minimum of 58 000 prisoners are moved. The reasons for  their transportation include  to accommodate changes  in  a prisoner’s risk profile, to maximise prison  capacity, to attend health and welfare programs…

Health Funding

Barely a week goes by without an  article in one of the  regional  newspapers in  my  electorate of Western  Victoria  Region detailing  the  Napthine government’s complete  and utter failure  to maintain a first-class  health system  in  Victoria. Whether  it  is hospital  wait  times, failure to provide the promised 800 hospital beds, crowded emergency departments or…

Country Fire Authority Warrnambool Brigade

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister  for Emergency  Services in  the other place. It is in relation  to the Country Fire Authority  (CFA) Warrnambool brigade. A little over four  years ago the  Brumby  government  allocated  a  firefighting  pumper   to  the  specially customised Warrnambool fire  station to assist in firefighting in the south-west…

COURTS LEGISLATION MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS BILL 2014

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — In order to assist with the efficient operation of the committee today I will inform the chamber of Labor’s position in relation to all of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended substantially by Labor in the Legislative Assembly. There were substantive discussions between the shadow Attorney-General, the member for…

Universities

 In May this year, Prime Minister Abbott and the federal  coalition  government showed their  true colours to  the Australian people as they  handed down the most  unfair, damaging, misleading  and socially divisive budget this country  has seen. While Mr Abbott arrogantly continues  to tell us  this is  what we  need, leaders from across all sectors…

EMPLOYMENT

I wish  to exercise my right of  reply as the person who  moved  this very important motion on the unemployment crisis in this state in the last  parliamentary  sitting  week.  What have we learnt since that time, which was only  some  10 days ago? We have learnt  that  25 jobs have gone from the Target …

Auditor-General: Access to Legal Aid

This evening I wish to make some comments on the Auditor-General’s  report tabled on 20 August in relation to access to legal aid. While the Auditor-General is complimentary of Victoria  Legal Aid (VLA) for its  performance  in this  dire  financial environment, he  warns  that limiting eligibility criteria in order to achieve financial  sustainability  has  serious…

Youth Unemployment

My adjournment matter this evening is for the Premier, and it relates to the youth unemployment  rates  in  rural and regional Victoria. It  is no surprise that this is a major issue confronting youth  right across the  state  but particularly in  rural and regional Victoria.  Indeed the unemployment rate in the Premier’s electorate of South-West…

COURTS LEGISLATION MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS BILL 2014

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria)— I  rise  to  speak  on the Courts Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments  Bill  2014.  This  bill  contains  many  miscellaneous provisions and covers a number  of different aspects of the judicial system, and Labor will not be opposing it. The bill amends a number of  acts  that  currently  regulate  the  operation  of Victorian  courts…

Daffodil Day

I rise today  to  acknowledge an important date,  which  is  near  and  dear to all our hearts: Cancer Council  Australia’s annual Daffodil Day, to be held  tomorrow,  Friday,  22  August.  The  impact of cancer  within our society can only be described as widespread. Cancer does  not discriminate by age, gender  or even general  health  and…

Unemployment

My adjournment matter this evening is for the attention of the Minister for Employment and Trade and it is in relation to  the recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) unemployment rates.  The ABS figures that  were released on 7  August demonstrate that  the  unemployment rate in Victoria rose from 6.6 per  cent to 7 …

EMPLOYMENT

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria)— I move:   That this house notes that — (1) when  the coalition  took office, the unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent  —        2.1 percentage points below today; and (2) under Dr Denis Napthine, MP, Victoria’s unemployment rate has rocketed  to 7        per cent, the highest it  has been  for 14 …

Auditor-General: Technical and Further Education Institutes — Results of the 2013 Audits

I rise  to make  a statement on the Victorian Auditor-General’s report of August 2014 entitled Technical and Further Education Institutes — Results  of the 2013  Audits. The Auditor-General’s report details findings  of an audit into the financials of 14 TAFE institutes and  13 entities under their control. My attention is  drawn  to significant concerns held…

Vietnam Veterans

I  acknowledge  the  Vietnam  Veterans Association  of Australia,  Geelong  and District Sub  Branch, for the  memorial service that  it  conducted in North Geelong last Sunday to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the battle  of  Long Tan. The ceremony provided a timely reminder that it is  governments, not service personnel,  which make decisions  about the deployment…

Bay West Development

I acknowledge  the media release yesterday from the mayor of the City  of Greater  Geelong, Darryn Lyons, in which he advocates for the  Bay West development, recognising that  such a development will  be great for Geelong and have a positive impact on Avalon Airport and boost jobs.

Sheepvention

I acknowledge the Hamilton Pastoral and Agricultural Society for another fabulous Sheepvention held earlier this month. It  was our ninth year of attending the event, and with record crowds, many people  once  again stopped at our  stall  to chat, raise issues, take some information and sign  petitions.  I congratulate Sheepvention president,  Nick Sutherland, and his…

CRIME STATISTICS BILL 2014

I rise to speak  on the Crime Statistics Bill 2014. There  have been a number of attempts to bring this  bill before the house and  finally it  has  arrived this  afternoon. The  purpose of  this bill  is to provide for the publication of  crime  statistics  and the employment of a chief statistician. From the outset…

PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION BILL 2014

I rise to speak to the debate on the Privacy and Data Protection  Bill  2014.  The  opposition will not be opposing the bill, which  aims to  improve  the  management  of  private  information held  by  the Victorian public sector. It follows a report by the Auditor-General tabled on 25 November 2009 entitled Maintaining the Integrity and…

Ambulance Victoria: report 2012-13

I  rise  to  make a statement on Ambulance Victoria’s  annual  report  for  2012-13.  At  the   outset  I  acknowledge  and congratulate  three   experienced  paramedics  —   Jon  Byrne  from   emergency management, Kerry Power, who is a mobile intensive care ambulance paramedic, and Tony Oxford, who is a group manager.  They  were  awarded  the Ambulance Service Medal in…

PORTLAND SECONDARY COLLEGE

My adjournment matter this  evening is also for the Minister for Education, Martin Dixon. It  relates to the continuation of the  Portland  re-engagement  program.  This  program  is  a  flexible  learning alternative currently being offered by Portland Secondary College, and it is for young people who are at risk  of  being  disengaged from education. Currently 37…

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

This morning I rise to comment on my concerns about this government’s lack of commitment to the agricultural sector. Today’s Weekly Times reports that vocational education and training courses in agricultural-based training will be cut by up to 30 per cent. Those cuts will apply not just to courses in the horticultural area but also…

VICTORIAN INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION POLICY

I rise to support Mr Somyurek’s motion and, unlike the last two government speakers, speak to the motion. I will be dealing with the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP). I will talk about Keppel Prince — a fantastic company that operates within my electorate — and I will also talk about support for local employment,…

JOBS 4 GEELONG

Last Friday I attended the Jobs4Geelong expo, held at the Deakin University waterfront campus. It was a two-day event held in a common area at Deakin, which was bustling with people eager to get information from the various stalls held by a range of local employers, recruitment agencies, training providers and other job seeker support…

MORIAC PRIMARY SCHOOL

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education and is in relation to the Moriac Primary School. By way of background, during 2008 the Labor government entered the Moriac Primary School into what was then the Building Futures program. The proposed works were significant, given that there had been no work on that school…

VEXATIOUS PROCEEDINGS BILL 2014

I rise to speak on the Vexatious Proceedings Bill 2014. The opposition will not be opposing the bill. The bill reduces the costs incurred by the court and members of the community through unnecessary and unmeritorious litigation. In 2008 the Victorian parliamentary Law Reform Committee inquired into vexatious litigants and received significant response from the community.…

GEELONG REGION POLICE RESOURCES

On Tuesday, 20 May, more than 200 off-duty police officers rallied against the ongoing and systematic funding cuts and decrease in resources for police in the Geelong region. Police Association secretary, Ron Iddles, addressed the rally, saying it was the first time he could recall a group of police rallying publically for more support. Police…

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — I move: That this house notes that — (1) the Napthine government has cut Victoria’s youth employment scheme at the height of a youth unemployment crisis; (2) the Minister for Employment and Trade, the Honourable Louise Asher, MP, has admitted that the Napthine government reduced the number of traineeships in the…

SOUTH WEST INSTITUTE OF TAFE REPORT: 2013

My contribution this evening is on the South West Institute of TAFE 2013 annual report. The South West Institute of TAFE is the largest vocational training provider in the south-west of Victoria, and over the reporting period the institute delivered accredited courses to over 11 600 students with 2.89 million student contact hours. It has…

KINDERGARTEN FUNDING

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development. It is in relation to state and federal funding for Victorian kindergartens and the national agreement of 15 hours of kindergarten for every child. It really is extremely disappointing to have to raise the possible notion of the reduction of the current…

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Under the Napthine government Victoria now holds the unenviable title of the state with the highest youth unemployment rate in mainland Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Victoria’s youth unemployment is at 20 per cent, but figures are higher in some regional centres in my electorate. Sadly, these statistics do not come as…

CRIME UP IN COLAC AS FAMILY VIOLENCE SURGES

Crime has risen again in the Polwarth region under Denis Napthine with another 7.2 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the latest Victoria Police statistics. The statistics also show that family violence continues to rise with a 24.6 per cent increase in the Colac and Surfcoast region. Denis Napthine and the Liberals…

FEDERAL BUDGET

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, and the federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, have now delivered their first budget, and the people of Australia are truly gutted by what they have seen. The federal budget is an assault on the most vulnerable in our society and a betrayal by a craven government, despite the promises it made…

ANZAC DAY

Anzac Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have been injured and those who have paid the highest price of all in representing Australia in areas of conflict around the world for over 100 years. It is a time for reflection and a time to think of grief-stricken families and the carers…

VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS HONOUR ROLE

I would like to acknowledge the Lovett brothers from Lake Condah, who were recently added to the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll. Alfred, Leonard, Edward, Herbert and Frederick Lovett all fought on the Western Front in World War I, and all returned home safely. It has been noted by Britain’s Imperial War Museum that no other…

OPERATION NEWSTART

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and it is in relation to Operation Newstart. Over the years I have had the opportunity to attend several graduation ceremonies at City Hall in relation to Operation Newstart, and I have had the privilege of listening to the stories and hearing about…

WARRNAMBOOL V-LINE SERVICE

Dear Editor, Numerous articles have been published in this newspaper regarding the Melbourne to Warrnambool V-Line service, which is the worst serviced V-Line service in Victoria. At present there are just three services per day that Warrnambool and Colac public transport users can use to access services in Geelong and Melbourne — one in the…

WORKPLACE SAFETY

My adjournment matter this evening is directed to the Premier and is in relation to workplace occupational health and safety matters. I was quite horrified to learn that this government has withdrawn the right of the community to be notified of company breaches of their obligations under health and safety legislation. For those in the chamber…

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR FARMER HEALTH

It is fair to say that the Minister for Health and his staff have drawn the longest bow in history for the government’s latest excuse for why it will not support the health and wellbeing of Victorian farmers. In the Hamilton Spectator a member of the Minister for Health’s staff was quoted as saying: It…

GORDON TAFE ANNUAL REPORT: 2013

I rise to make a contribution in relation to the Gordon annual report 2013. This TAFE organisation is well known to a number of people in this chamber, as it is one of the oldest TAFEs in this state and has been operating for some time. It is the largest regional stand-alone TAFE in Victoria…

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR FARMER HEALTH FUNDING

I rise to support the motion that has been put before us today by Ms Pulford. I say from the outset that I am absolutely appalled by the fact the Liberal Party has advised the house it will be voting against this motion. I can only conclude from the remarks of Mr David O’Brien that The…

SOUTH WEST TAFE

Victoria is currently facing a youth unemployment crisis, with many of the worst-affected areas being in regional Victoria. On a number of occasions in this place I have spoken about areas in my electorate, which includes the Premier’s Assembly electorate of South-West Coast, that are experiencing significant youth unemployment rates. One does not need a…

HOMELESS WAITING BLOWOUT IN PORTLAND

Another 1100 desperate Victorians have joined the housing waiting list after Denis Napthine failed to build new public and social housing. Portland recorded a 21.82 per cent increase over the last three months, with an extra 12 people now waiting for housing in Portland. There are now over 35,000 people waiting for accommodation, including almost…

Geelong Defence Jobs

  Victorian Labor will commit $5 million to establish a dedicated Victorian Defence Procurement Office, to be located in Geelong. This new office will ensure that the skill and capability of Victorian and Geelong manufacturers are marketed to the world’s largest defence contractors – generating vitally important local manufacturing jobs. Victoria is already home to…