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MARCH 2020 EDITION
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As your local Member of Parliament, I am available to assist you with
any State Government related issues such as education, health, public
transport and police.

 
My office can be contacted on 03 9741 1133 or at
tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au.
IMPORTANT CORONAVIRUS
(COVID-19) INFORMATION
A State of Emergency was declared in Victoria on 16 March 2020 to combat COVID-19.

The best way people can protect themselves and others is to wash their hands with soap and water regularly and practice cough etiquette.

If you are unwell stay at home and avoid contact with others. 

We are asking people to take those extra precautions to minimise the risk of being infected.

We are all in this together – and as we saw during the bushfires – in the worst of times, we are confident that we will see the best of Victorians.

For up-to-date information, please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

$1.7 BILLION ECONOMIC SURVIVAL PACKAGE 

The Andrews Labor Government has announced a $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package to support Victorian businesses and workers through the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The package includes the following key programs:

  • Payroll Tax Refund: 
    Businesses with annual taxable wages up to $3 million will have their payroll tax for the 2019-20 financial year waived.
     
  • Business Support Fund: 
    Support to employers in hardest-hit industries, such as hospitality, tourism, accommodation, arts and entertainment, and retail.
     
  • Working for Victoria Fund:
    Under this fund, displaced workers will be eligible to apply for different types of work. This presents opportunities for paid work and an opportunity to contribute to Victoria’s ability to manage this event and support the community.
    Information for the Working for Victoria Fund can be found at vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria
     
  • Liquor licence fees waived: 
    Renewable liquor licence fees for 2020 will be waived and businesses that have already paid will be reimbursed.
     
  • Land tax deferral:
    Landowners that have at least one nonresidential property and total taxable landholdings below $1 million have the option of deferring their 2020 land tax payment until after 31 December 2020.
     
  • Fast tracking outstanding supplier invoices:
    The Government will pay all outstanding supplier invoices within five business days – releasing up to $750 million into the economy earlier. The private sector is urged to do the same where possible.
     
  • Rent relief for commercial tenants in government buildings:
    The Government will work directly with commercial tenants in government buildings who can apply for rent relief. Private landlords are also being encouraged to provide rent relief or holidays to help businesses.

Please refer to the fact sheet for further information regarding these programs, including contact information. 

More information about Coronavirus business support, advice and updates can be found at business.vic.gov.au

The Andrews Labor Government has announced over 30,000 grants of $10,000 each that are available to eligible businesses affected by social distancing restrictions.

Affected businesses include bars, cafes, restaurants, live music venues and many others. 

For more information and to register, please visit business.vic.gov.au
 
Business Victoria HOTLINE

Businesses across the state can now access information on dealing with COVID-19 by calling the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

For the State Revenue Office, please visit sro.vic.gov.au
Coronavirus (COVID‑19) updates

For the latest updates and advice on the novel coronavirus in Victoria, visit the DHHS website: dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
 
IN THIS EDITION
LOCAL NEWS
  1. Victorian Hospitals Receive New Equipment And Infrastructure 
  2. Supporting Wyndham Disability Self Help Groups 
  3. Doors Open For Pets In Rental Properties 
  4. Making Wage Theft A Crime
  5. Righting Past Wrongs With Stolen Generations Redress
  6. Backing The Science, Protecting Farmers And Boosting Jobs
GRANTS, AWARDS & PROGRAMS 
  1. Coastcare Victoria Grants 
  2. Victorian Training Awards 2020



LOCAL NEWS
VICTORIAN HOSPITALS RECEIVE NEW EQUIPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE 

More Wyndham patients will get the high quality and safe care they deserve, with the Andrews Labor Government providing hospitals with latest life-saving medical equipment and upgrading vital infrastructure. 

Mercy Health is one of 26 health services around the state to share in $60 million from the latest funding round of the Medical Equipment Replacement Program and the Engineering Infrastructure Replacement Program. 

Cutting-edge equipment funded as part of the programs includes CT units, digital x-ray units, ultrasounds, operating room microscopes and heart imaging equipment such as transesophageal echocardiogram units. 

Mercy Health will receive more than $1.16 million for hospital medical equipment and engineering infrastructure replacements and upgrades, with the funds going to the Werribee Mercy Hospital. 

It’s part of the Labor Government’s $7 billion pipeline of health infrastructure projects - the largest health building program in the state’s history. 

A record $2.5 billion investment in our health system will help meet the needs of our growing state, meaning that more patients will receive care, treatment and surgeries sooner. 

SUPPORTING WYNDHAM DISABILITY SELF HELP GROUPS

Wyndham disability self-help groups will be able to provide extra support for people with disability, their families and carers thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.

The Multicultural Mutual Support/Self-Help Parents’ Group and the Wyndham Disability Action Group (WYNDAG) will share in grants of up to $10,000 over two years as part of the Labor Government’s Disability Self Help Grants Program. 

A total of 61 groups across the state will receive grants as part of the program.

This includes 19 self help groups from rural and regional Victoria and 10 groups representing diverse communities. 

Self help groups bring together people with lived experience of disability who are dealing with similar challenges to share their experiences, support each other and connect with the community.  

The Labor Government’s $378,000 grant funding will strengthen groups by assisting with general expenses, minor works and equipment. 

For more information, please visit providers.dhhs.vic.gov.au/disability-self-help-grants-program.   

DOORS OPEN FOR PETS IN RENTAL PROPERTIES 

Victorians will no longer be forced to choose between the pet they love and a place to live, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s historic new laws.

Renters will now be able to keep a pet in their rental property with written consent from their rental provider.

The new laws will make it easier for both renters and rental providers to understand their rights and obligations when it comes to allowing and keeping pets in a rental property.

If a rental provider believes that it is reasonable to refuse consent to a pet living in the property, the onus will be on them to seek an order from the Victorian Civil and Administrative tribunal to refuse the pet.

The tribunal can take a number of things into account when determining whether it is appropriate for a pet to be kept in a rental property. These include situations where:

  • The property is not suitable for the type of pet the renter wishes to keep
  • Local council rules prohibit the keeping of certain animals
  • The suitability of the pet, such as whether the pet may pose a threat to neighbours or other residents.

The right to keep a pet in a rental property is just one of the government’s more than 130 rental reforms that will be introduced by 1 July 2020.

For more information on the rental reforms package visit: https://engage.vic.gov.au/fairersaferhousing.

Employers who deliberately underpay or don’t pay their workers will face up to 10 years jail under new laws introduced into parliament by the Andrews Labor Government.

The Wage Theft Bill 2020 will establish new criminal offences targeting employers who deliberately withhold wages and other employee entitlements.

Employers who dishonestly withhold wages, superannuation or other employee entitlements, will face fines of up to $198,264 for individuals, $991,320 for companies and up to 10 years jail.

Offences will also capture employers who dishonestly falsify employee entitlement records, such as payroll records, or who dishonestly fail to keep employment records.

The legislation will establish the Wage Inspectorate of Victoria as a statutory authority with powers to investigate and prosecute wage theft offences.

The existing legal regime has failed to prevent the exploitation of Victorian workers by unscrupulous employers - these laws and the new inspectorate body will hold employers accountable. 

RIGHTING PAST WRONGS WITH STOLEN GENERATIONS REDRESS

The Andrews Labor Government will establish a landmark Stolen Generations Redress Scheme to address the trauma and suffering caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families. 

$10 million will be invested to develop a scheme which will have Stolen Generations members and their families at its heart.

A range of redress options will be considered, including redress payments, counselling support and a funeral or memorial fund.

The funding could also go towards helping survivors tell their stories and ensuring they are appropriately supported in making redress applications.

Acting under past state law, Victorian authorities forcibly removed many Aboriginal children from their families causing lasting distress and hurt.

A 2018 survey found many Stolen Generations members still suffer health, social and economic disadvantage, with up to 70 per cent relying on welfare and more than half living with disability or a chronic health condition.

A redress scheme was one of the key items raised at the first meeting of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, which was set up by the Andrews Labor Government to negotiate a framework for Treaty.

The first consultations will be held this year, with the scheme to begin in 2021.
BACKING THE SCIENCE, PROTECTING FARMERS AND BOOSTING JOBS 

The Andrews Labor Government is backing the science to create jobs and bolster energy supply with new legislation to lift the moratorium on onshore gas exploration and production, and ban fracking for good.

The Labor Government introduced two bills on 17 March 2020.

The first enshrines the historic ban on fracking and coal seam gas exploration in the Victorian Constitution.

Fracking was banned in 2017 and at the 2018 election, Labor promised to put that ban in the Constitution – to make it harder for future governments to put our food and fibre sector at risk.

The second piece of legislation will allow for an orderly restart of onshore conventional gas exploration and development from 1 July 2021.

The decision follows three years of detailed investigation by the Victorian Gas Program, which found an onshore conventional gas industry would not compromise the state’s environmental and agricultural credentials.

The investigation was overseen by Victoria’s Lead Scientist, Dr Amanda Caples, who chaired an independent Stakeholder Advisory Panel including farmers, environmentalists, industry representatives and local councils.

Production of Victoria’s estimated resources could generate more than $310 million annually for regional economies and create 6,400 jobs over the lifespan of these projects.

Gas will continue to play an important role in supporting Victoria’s transition to a cleaner energy future, in line with the Government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

For a copy of the Victorian Gas Program Progress Report No.4, please visit earthresources.vic.gov.au/gasprogram.


Don't forget - Victoria has now banned single-use plastic bags.

You can drop-in to my Watton Street electorate office during the week to pick up your free reuseable shopping bag!

 



GRANTS, AWARDS &

PROGRAMS

BIGGEST EVER COASTCARE VICTORIA GRANTS NOW OPEN

In celebration of Coastcare Victoria’s 25th year, the Andrews Labor Government is providing more funds and larger grants to Victorian community groups through the Coastcare Community Grants Program.

Grants up to $30,000 are available for eligible projects to conserve, restore and rehabilitate Victoria’s coastal and marine environments.

The $495,000 program has two streams of funding this year to support community adaptation and improve ecosystem resilience to climate change.

Projects under the stewardship and education stream focus on activities that conserve, rehabilitate, and restore coastal and marine ecosystems.

This stream encourages activities that support community participation, engagement and education to enhance knowledge and understanding of coastal and marine management.

A new volunteer resilience stream encourages community groups to consider ways to expand, diversify volunteer bases and create opportunities to engage youth and volunteers from different backgrounds, cultures, nationalities and abilities.

This stream is seeking projects that use the different ways people want to volunteer and improve volunteer recruitment and retention.

Applications close 5pm on 7 May 2020.

For more information, including funding guidelines, please visit delwp.vic.gov.au/Coastcare.

VICTORIAN TRAINING AWARDS 2020

Apprentices, students, teachers, employers, training providers and Learn Locals can now nominate for the 66th Victorian Training Awards.

The Victorian Training Awards recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of individuals, organisations, employers, and training and community providers in the Victorian TAFE and training sector.

There are 16 award categories – six for individuals, four for industry employers and four for training and community organisations, as well as an Industry Collaboration Award and the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Last year, the Royal Children’s Hospital and Holmesglen Institute were the successful recipients of the Industry Collaboration Award in both the Victorian Training Awards and the Australian National Awards.

Their collaboration created a pathway to employment for young people with disability and demonstrated how barriers can be overcome through the effective partnering of education with industry.

Winners will be announced at the Victorian Training Awards gala ceremony on 18 September, with winners receiving $5,000 in prize money.

Applications close at midnight on 5 June 2020.

To nominate for the 2020 Victorian Training Awards visit vta.awardsplatform.com.


Government is a collaborative process and I encourage you to contact me and pass on your feedback, questions and suggestions, so we can continue to improve our community.

My office can be contacted on 03 9741 1133 or at tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au.

 
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Tim Pallas MP · 2/56-58 Watton St, Werribee, 3030 · Werribee, VIC 3030 · Australia

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