NEW COVIDSAFE SETTINGS IN PLACE IN VICTORIA

The Chief Health Officer has advised that Victoria's lockdown will be lifted from 11:59pm Tuesday 27 July, and our state will move into the latest COVIDSafe settings.

This is due to the incredible work of our public health teams and every Victorian who has done their part over these past few weeks.

Please keep wearing your masks when you're out of your home, and remember to check-in everywhere, every time. If you're eligible, get vaccinated.

And if you have any symptoms – please get tested.

Read about changes to restrictions at premier.vic.gov.au/lockdown-lifted-across-victoria.

For more information on the latest COVIDSafe settings, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

(This information is accurate at the time of writing).

BUSINESS SUPPORT PACKAGE

A new jointly funded package from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments will give Victorian small and medium businesses the extra support and confidence they need to recover from the recent lockdown.

The new Victorian Business Support Package will deliver an additional $400 million in support to thousands of businesses.

The package includes a new $85 million Small Business COVID Hardship Fund and $156 million Business Continuity Fund, as well as delivering support for commercial tenants and landlords.

It will also build on Victorian Government support for licenced hospitality and alpine venues, with $70 million for the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund 2021 and $9.8 million for Alpine Business Support.

More information can be found at business.vic.gov.au.

The Business Victoria Hotline 13 22 15 is open seven days a week and is available to help with any queries about business support grants and other programs.

If a business requires a translator, they can call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask for the Business Victoria hotline.

Read more at premier.vic.gov.au/victorian-business-support-package.

COMMERCIAL TENANCY RELIEF FOR VICTORIAN BUSINESSES

The Victorian Government is reintroducing the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme to back our state‘s small and medium-sized businesses as they emerge from lockdown.

Many commercial landlords have done the right thing and offered rent relief – this recent announcement goes further and make it a requirement for landlords to help eligible businesses that have endured a serious trading downturn due to no fault of their own.

The Scheme will ease pressure by providing rent relief for eligible tenants, while separate support will be provided to landlords who do the right thing by their tenants.

A mediation service for tenants and landlords will further support fair tenancy negotiations.

Tenants and landlords can contact the Victorian Small Business Commission for further information on 13 87 22 or visit vsbc.vic.gov.au. 

You can read more at premier.vic.gov.au/commercial-tenancy-relief-victorian-businesses. 

MICROBUSINESS CONCIERGE SERVICE

Sole traders or microbusinesses seeking information or advice about COVID-19 business support can now call Business Victoria’s dedicated concierge service for assistance.

This service is here to support you if you work for yourself, or have 1 to 2 employees and an annual turnover under $75,000 and are not eligible for Victorian Government COVID-19 business support grants.

Speak to one of our experts for advice by calling the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 and selecting the microbusiness concierge service.

Our experts can provide:

• advice about eligibility for Victorian Government business grant programs
• referrals to Victorian Government business support programs, such as the Small Business Digital Adaptation Program, Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring, and the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline
• assistance to help sole traders and microbusinesses understand the application process for the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

More information can be found at business.vic.gov.au/contact-us/concierge-service.

SUPPORTING OUR SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS TO SUCCEED

The Victorian Government will continue to provide extra support to students in their final years of school, with the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage (CED) process to continue in 2021 in light of continued disruptions to the school year.

In a normal year, individual students are assessed for special consideration on a case by case basis – but the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will again use the CED process to finalise VCE results for each and every student completing one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequence in 2021.

Consistent with the approach in 2020, the process considers a range of data alongside exam results to calculate final VCE results - like the General Achievement Test (GAT), comparisons of performance across all assessments and schools and other learning data.

The process will also include assessments of the individual impact of coronavirus on each student including school closures, direct impacts on student health, ongoing issues with remote learning and mental health challenges.

All Year 12 VCAL students will also have access to individual consideration – with schools required to apply special consideration for all students who have been subject to significant disruptions.

The GAT will be rescheduled to 12 August, pending further public health advice and logistical restrictions on that date.

The rescheduling of the GAT will allow schools time to organise logistics and put COVIDSafe protocols in place to make sure students and staff can participate safely with minimal disruption to their assessments.

Good news for Alamanda College students.
 
A new bus service is being launched to make it easier for students to get to and from school.
 
From the morning of the first day of Term 4, the new service will take students from Werribee South and Wyndham Harbour to Alamanda College - and bring them back in the afternoon.
 
Two new fully accessible bus stops are being built for the new service in Werribee South and Wyndham Harbour. Existing stops will also be used along the route, to make it easier for students to get to school.
 
The new school services will begin on 4 October and run in the mornings and afternoons on school days.

The Andrews Labor Government has awarded $350,000 to Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) to help young people find pathways away from offending.

Along with the Member for Altona Jill Hennessy and Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly, I'm pleased to announce that CMY will receive funding for the extension of the Change It Up project to support young people and provide them with the help they need.

The project aims to address offending and recidivism among young people aged 10 to 24 who have either had contact with, or have demonstrated risk of, being involved with the criminal justice system.

The projects engage with young people through coaching, mentoring, employment and education opportunities to address the underlying causes of offending and steer them away from the justice system. CMY funding builds on its strong community involvement to respond to the needs of its local youth, and provides opportunities for them to be provided with a wraparound service that sets them on the right path.

The funding is part of the state government’s Youth Crime Prevention Grants program, which received $4.4 million in the 2021-22 State Budget to extend projects across Victoria for an additional 12 months.

These community-led projects for young people are run in partnership with councils, service providers, not-for-profit groups and police.

Since 2016 the government has invested over $22 million, providing intensive support to more than 1000 young people. More than 2000 young people have participated in pro-social activities delivered by these projects.

• Anglicare Victoria (Gippsland and Kyneton)
• Mallee Family Care (Mildura)
• Upper Murray Family Care (Wodonga)
• Drummond Street Service – Queerspace (Geelong).

COASTAL PUBLIC ACCESS AND RISK GRANTS

Recently, the Government announced the opening of the Coastal Public Access and Risk Grants.

Information about this announcement was included in my June E-News.

Grants of up to $150,000 are available to coastal Crown land managers, including volunteer committees of management and local governments to implement projects that improve access and identify, monitor and mitigate risks.

Eligible projects include assessments to identify and evaluate risks, projects that treat risks and risk monitoring.

Grants have previously supported new boardwalks and all-abilities beach access ramps, staircase replacements, new foreshore paths and trails, erosion management planning and coastal stability assessments.

The $1 million grants program is part of the $15.8 million Safeguarding Marine and Coastal Environments in the Face of Climate Change program.
 
The deadline for these grant applications has now been extended to 4pm on 5 August. 

More information can be found at marineandcoasts.vic.gov.au/grants/coastal-public-access-and-risk-grants. 

COMMUNITY POWER HUBS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS

The Andrews Government has announced $6.5 million to expand the Community Power Hubs program and provide new grants for community organisations to install renewable energy technology, including solar panels.
 
The Community Power Hubs will be set up in regions across the state, with each hub supporting community energy groups in their region by providing support, funding and local expertise. The hubs have been funded to immediately deliver 16 solar energy projects by the end of the year, which will build energy resilience while also helping drive down emissions.
 
Additionally, community organisations across the state including sporting clubs, kindergartens and men’s sheds can also now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to install renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and undertake energy audits.

This will help these organisations save on their bills while reducing emissions.
 
Further detail on eligible projects is available on the Sustainability Victoria website: sustainability.vic.gov.au.

Both of these programs are part of delivering the Andrews Labor Government’s bold and ambitious Climate Change Strategy.

RENEWABLE HYDROGEN GRANTS NOW OPEN

The Andrews Labor Government is helping businesses make the switch to renewable hydrogen, with $7.2 million in funding now available to deliver trials, pilots and feasibility studies that will enable them to take the first steps in transitioning to this clean energy alternative.

Two new grant programs that will support the industrial sector to prepare for renewable hydrogen by funding a variety of projects – from using hydrogen to decarbonise transport to creating new clean manufacturing opportunities.

Applications for grants under both programs close on 27 August.

To apply and find out more about the Renewable Hydrogen Industry Plan, visit energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-hydrogen.

MARINE AND COASTAL STRATEGY NOW OPEN FOR CONSULTATION 

The Government recently released the draft Marine and Coastal Strategy for community consultation.

The Strategy sets out how we will plan and manage our beautiful marine and coastal environment over the next five years.

This is the first of three strategies that will help realise our 15 year vision, set out in our Marine and Coastal Policy.
 
Victorians love our coast, whether locals or visitors, so have your say at www.engage.vic.gov.au/draft-marine-and-coastal-strateg.

Consultation closes on 10 September.

VETERANS GRANTS NOW OPEN

Applications are now open for two important grant programs which support the welfare of Victorian veterans and their families and ensure their enormous sacrifices are remembered by future generations.

The ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund allows organisations who support the wellbeing of the veteran community to run welfare activities.

The Victoria Remembers Grant Program provides grants of up to $30,000 for projects that honour or commemorate veterans’ service.

Applications for both programs close at 5pm on Monday 23 August.

Visit the links below for more information:

ANZAC Day Proceeds Fund: vic.gov.au/anzac-day-proceeds-fund.

Victoria Remembers Grant Program: vic.gov.au/victoria-remembers-grant-program.

PREMIER'S SPIRIT OF ANZAC PRIZE  

Submissions are open for the annual Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize for years 9-11 students to reflect on the enormous contributions made by Victoria’s veterans.

Due to the uncertainties around international or interstate travel, in 2021 the Spirit of ANZAC Prize will award $2,500 scholarships to outstanding entries.

Applications for the prize this year will close at 5pm on Tuesday 31 August. 

For more information, the full topic and eligibility criteria, and what the $2,500 can be spent on, students and schools should visit vic.gov.au/soap.

TRANSDEV SCHOOLS BUS SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION

Transdev Melbourne are looking for small artists with big talent to help spread the message about the importance of bus safety.

Transdev are calling all Victorian primary school students to create a poster about bus safety for their chance to win some fantastic prizes!

I encourage my littlest constituents in primary school to participate for your chance to win. Get your submissions in before 19 September.

For more information, visit transdevmelbourne.com.au/poster-competition.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS REFORM

The Government has announced the release of the first discussion papers on Senior Secondary Pathways Reform, and is encouraging stakeholders to have their say on the new certificate designs.

Victorians are being encouraged to have their say on the Andrews Labor Government’s major reforms of school-based vocational education, including what units students are going to do as part of their certificate and on what the certificates will be called.

The reforms will see the integration of the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) into the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

This will give Victorian students high-quality, practical skills that delivers a pathway to Victoria’s most in-demand jobs. A new foundation certificate will be established from 2023 to support students in all settings to successfully transition to entry level VET or employment after finishing school, particularly students with a disability and additional needs.

The Labor Government is keen for community feedback on how to best support all students to complete a two-year certificate, the impact of mandating a minimum number of units, and ensuring forms of assessment will best support student learning.

The Government is keen to hear from students, parents, caregivers, schools, TAFEs, universities and other service providers, peak bodies, industry, employers and the wider community through the Engage Victoria website.

The move to the new certificates follows a review by former Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority CEO John Firth. They will be complemented by broader reforms to the senior secondary system, which will improve the quality of, and access to, vocational and applied learning pathways for all students.

The reforms are supported by a $38 million investment announced in the Victorian Budget 2020/21.

More information can be found at engage.vic.gov.au/consultation-senior-secondary-reform. 

MINISTERIAL TASKFORCE ON WORKPLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT CONSULTATION 

The deadline for public consultation of the Ministerial Taskforce on Workplace Sexual Harassment has been extended to 9 August.

The Taskforce will consider ways to strengthen Victoria’s occupational health and safety framework to better address sexual harassment, clarify employer obligations to boost accountability, encourage and support workers to speak up and consider measures to prevent the misuse of non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment matters.

Get your feedback in at engage.vic.gov.au/addressing-sexual-harassment-victorian-workplaces.