Growth benefits all Victorians

4 May 2010

The Brotherhood of St Laurence is encouraged by the emphasis of today’s Victorian State Budget on ensuring that all Victorians can share in the more prosperous times it forecasts. Executive Director Tony Nicholson said earlier today:

‘The most important figure in today’s Budget is the forecast for improved economic growth. It now is crucial that all Victorians have the opportunity to contribute to and share in the benefits of our State’s economic recovery.

‘We are encouraged by a number of budget initiatives that will reduce homelessness. Investments in preventing domestic violence, improving accommodation and support to children in State care, improving mental health services and funding for housing people with high and complex needs in a home-like environment, will all contribute to reducing homelessness ahead of a more comprehensive long-term strategy to tackle homelessness later this year.

‘Investments in new education facilities in the State’s burgeoning growth corridors are critical to the life chances of the children of these new communities. These facilities can also be a catalyst for building resilience in those communities if the opportunity is taken to co-locate other important health, welfare and training services.

‘The lower forecast for unemployment is most welcome and underlines the importance of building the capacities of the unemployed if Victoria is to avoid skills shortages that will constrain further economic growth. To this end, we welcome the commitment of 172,000 additional vocational training places and the $173 million new investment in green jobs and skills.

‘We are particularly pleased to see the State investing $20 million improving access to public dental care, as recommended by the Brotherhood’s recent research report into access to public dental care for disadvantaged Victorians, Public Dental Care and the Teeth First Trial: A History of Decay.

‘The price of utilities is an increasing challenge for low-income Victorians. As such, we welcome the expanded water concessions and the extension to the Waterwise auditing and retrofitting program. We will be looking to the proposed Climate Change White Paper to include a substantial commitment to improving the energy efficiency of low-income households through a targeted home energy audit and retrofit program. This will further drive sustainable employment.

‘A prosperous and fair Victoria isn’t built in one Budget. The Brotherhood continues to value long-term social and economic policy initiatives that are built up and funded strategically over time. 

‘The Victorian Government has demonstrated a sustained commitment over recent budgets to investments that will ensure disadvantaged Victorians are able to participate in the mainstream economic and social life of our State.’

Media enquiries: Johanna de Wever on (0424) 751 920 or email jdewever@bsl.org.au