Victorian Budget: recognition for disadvantaged job seekers

Help in the Budget to build skills and experience needed for the modern economy is welcome.

In its second Budget, the Andrews Government has set out some welcome directions to benefit the most disadvantaged people in the Victorian community, says anti-poverty group the Brotherhood of St Laurence.

Unifying the state's employment services into one system through the new “one-stop shop”, Jobs Victoria, signals that provision of job services should be an important task for any state government to undertake.

“For disadvantaged Victorians – young jobless, people retrenched in mid-life and mothers and other carers returning to work – to share in economic growth and the jobs it creates, they need assistance to build job capability, skills and work experience. At the Brotherhood of St Laurence we know that's what disadvantaged people overwhelmingly aspire to,” said Brotherhood executive director Tony Nicholson.

Jobs Victoria, with its goal of helping 3500 unemployed people find and retain work and the brokerage of work experience placements for a further 4000 people, does recognise that special efforts must be undertaken to include disadvantaged people in the mainstream economy. “Through this new initiative, the benefits of economic growth have a much better chance of reaching disadvantaged Victorians,” Mr Nicholson said.

Other welcome measures to boost employment prospects include:

• Reset of the payroll tax threshold as well as exemptions for business taking on retrenched apprentices or trainees;
• Help for early school leavers or young people who are long term unemployed to prepare for training and work through the Reconnect Program.

Family violence commitment also welcomed

Family violence is one of the key drivers of poverty and disadvantage in our community, especially affecting women and children.

“This budget contains a significant initial investment of $572 million to tackle this societal challenge, and the Andrews Government must be commended for framing family violence as a law and order issue of the highest priority,” Mr Nicholson said.

Media inquiries: Jeannie Zakharov on 0428 391 117