Jobs & Economy

Labor candidate for Brunswick, Jane Garrett, has welcomed the announcement of a Brumby Labor Government $23 million climate change program that will help individual Victorians and communities take local action to reduce emissions. 

Ms. Garrett said the Victorian Government would work in partnership with Victorians to help drive down emissions and seize new opportunities in a climate change economy, under the new Climate Communities program.

“The actions of human beings have a direct impact on our climate,” Ms Garrett said.
“Much of the debate on national and global action on climate change centres on the negative impact human beings have had on the climate, but I want to shift the focus onto the positive impact human beings can have on our climate.

The new agreement between the operators fo Yarra Trams, KDR, and the State Government includes:

• Yarra Trams to continue to be the operating name of Melbourne’s Tram Service
  
• 50 new large low floor trams on the way
  
• 33 Z Class Trams to be renovated and updated
  
• Creation of the KDR Customer Service and Safety Training Academy
  
• Improved punctuality targets – up from 78 to 82 percent
  

Victorians will be able to clean up with a $100 discount on the cost of energy and water efficient washing machines and dishwashers through a $1 million Brumby Labour Government initiative.

Starting on World Environment Day (June 5) and running until June 28, Victorian retailers participating in the Victorian Government Appliance Incentive initiative will provide $100 cash back on the purchase of washing machines and dishwashers with a minimum 3.5 star rating.

Sustainability Victoria also estimated that by upgrading an inefficient washing machine to a 3.5 star energy rating or 4 star water rating could save up to 7000 black balloons over the life of the appliance.

Retailers participating in the Victorian Government Appliance Incentive include: Myer, Warehouse Sales, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, Retravision, Clive Peeters, Camberwell Electrics, E & S Trading, Betta Electrical, David Jones, Clive Anthonys and Neco.

These ResourceSmart retailers can provide shoppers with additional information about purchasing energy and water efficient appliances.

For a full list of participating retailers see resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

Today Carlo Carli and Kelvin Thomson, Federal Member for Wills, announced $450,000 in works at 351 Barkly Street, Brunswick.  351 Barkly Street is a public housing high rise supporting older people.

The works are part of the Rudd Labor Government's Nation Builidng Economic Stimulus Plan designed to support jobs and provide much needed investment in social housing.

A full copy of the press release is after the jump.

- Carlo Carli speaks to Parliament about the State Budget
- Global financial crisis is impacting on Victorian jobs
- Budget protects jobs and builds infrastructure
- It is not a situation of our making, but it is one we have to confront to protect jobs and to protect families in Victoria.

 On May 7 Carlo Carli spoke to state Parliament about the 2009-2010 budget, as a part of the debate on the Appropriations Bill 2009.

- Budget to secure 35,000 jobs in the next 12 months
- Schools, public transport, health big winners
- A traditional Labor budget, protecting jobs while investing for the future

Investing in infrastructure to secure jobs, stimulate the economy, and support Victorian families from the impact of the Global Financial Crisis are the hallmarks of the Brumby Labor Government’s 2009 State Budget.

Member for Brunswick, Carlo Carli MP today welcomed the Brumby Labor Government’s 2009 State Budget and its record $11.5 billion infrastructure investment that will secure up to 35,000 jobs in the coming 12 months.

- Federal and State Government announce $402 million in school infrastructure funding
- $2 million for new classrooms and Library at Pascoe Vale South Primary School
- More funding announcements in the months ahead

A Brumby Labor Government state budget boost of $402 million will deliver new school buildings to stimulate the economy now and deliver on the Government’s plan to rebuild, renovate or extend every government school in the state.

 The Brumby Labor Government has called on residents in Brunswick to make the stimulus last. Residents may want to consider spending their Commonwealth Stimulus payments on solar hotwater systems and other investments that cut costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Brunswick MP, Carlo Carli said the stimulus payments, combined with Brumby Government rebates are a great opportunity for households to make a long-term difference to their energy and water bills.

 Work is underway to provide repairs and maintenance to thousands of social housing dwellings across Victoria as part of the Rudd Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

The Australian and Victorian Governments have committed to deliver maintenance and repairs to 5,600 social housing dwellings across the state by July 2010 at a cost of $99.2 million.

This funding will deliver improvements to over 1600 properties that are uninhabited, hard to let, or would otherwise be lost to the social housing stock over the next two years as they fall into disrepair.

Today’s announcement was made at 38-44 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy a former rooming house owned by Yarra Community Housing. Thanks to $2.1 million from the funding announced today, a project to remodel a dilapidated property to a modern singles facility with 19-studio apartments will now get underway and be completed by 30 June 2010.

For more information on the social housing plan, visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs’ website,
www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/housing/nbjp_factsheet.htm

Victoria’s higher education system will be positioned at the forefront of education delivery in Australia as part of the Brumby Government’s new Higher Education Plan.

The plan will dramatically expand the Victorian higher education sector in line with the Commonwealth Government’s proposed higher education reforms.

At the Victorian Department of Transport....

Twenty more new trains are now on order for Melbourne’s metropolitan train network. The order comes as an addition to the 18 trains already on their way, the first of which will arrive on the network later this year. The 38 new trains will provide extra capacity for more than 30,000 passengers in peak times.

The Victorian Government has released draft residential zones which are designed to provide gretaer certainty, especially around height.

You can have your say at the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

 Last night, I attended a fundraiser for Enver Erdogan, one of Labor's exciting young candidates in the North West Ward.

I have known Enver for a number of years and he is a committed young progressive. He has cut his teeth on university politics, has been heavilly involved in state and federal campaigns, and is a lifelong Moreland resident.

When Enver talks about a fresh approach, it isn't just a form of words - its part of his nature. He has a solid, grounded, passion for working people. His father is a long time union activist, and Enver, as an economics graduate, understands the importance of work and dignity to the working class.

Carlo Carli MP, spoke at the gathering and spoke about the importance of grassroots politics to working people. He told us it was about whether kids will be able to play cricket or soccer this year, whether seniors can cook their meals at the senior citizens club, or whether families can save on their groceries bills by having enough water to grow vegies at home.

This is the politics that Labor stands for. And its the politics that Enver will bring to council.

So if your a voter in Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, Glenroy or Hadield, Enver Erdogan is a candidate you should consider voting for.