“The Baillieu Government has been slow to react to a sharp increase in reports of family violence across the State, and I fear this announcement simply doesn’t provide the resources needed to combat this serious issue,” Ms Hennessy said.

“The Coalition has spent its first year in office running away from the issue of family violence, instead of tackling it head on.

“Alarmingly, it took 15 months for the Baillieu Government to confirm which Minister is responsible for this important issue, after Crime Prevention Minister Andrew McIntosh passed the buck to the Minister for Women’s Affairs last year.

“It shouldn’t have taken this long for the Baillieu Government to recognise that violence in the home, spousal and domestic abuse and violence are crime prevention issues.

“I hope that by forcing Mr McIntosh to admit that the issue of domestic violence is indeed within his portfolio, Mr Baillieu is finally taking domestic violence seriously.”

Ms Hennessy said the Baillieu Government had to back the police in their fight against domestic violence.

“This is not an issue that can be wished away with good intentions. It requires significant funding for programs, services and information, a public education campaign, and a whole of government approach,” Ms Hennessy said.

“The Premier should adopt the proactive reforms developed and released by Labor last November, which included a call to initiate a Statement to Parliament by the Premier, so that all MPs can affirm their personal commitment to prevent family violence.

“The fight against domestic violence will also require additional resources to overcome existing blockages in the court system to ensure family violence offenders are adequately dealt with in a timely manner.

“I hope that the announcement is the beginning of a set of reforms, backed by funding, that will set about making family violence a mainstream community safety priority.”

For more information on Labor’s plan to reduce family and domestic violence please visit www.danielandrews.com.au/media/news/white-ribbon-day/

As part of the changes, Deputy Leader James Merlino has been appointed the new Shadow Minister for Education, while the newest member of the Shadow Cabinet, John Eren, is now responsible for the Sport and Recreation and Volunteers portfolios.

Jacinta Allan has added the portfolio of Police and Emergency Services and will continue in her role as Manager of Opposition Business, and Shadow Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Bushfire Response.

Luke Donnellan is now Labor’s Shadow Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, while Jenny Mikakos will retain her portfolios as well as taking on the responsibility for the Children and Young Adults portfolio.

Danielle Green has been appointed to the portfolios of Child Safety and Women, and retains her roles as Shadow Minister for Disability Services and Health Promotion.

“The Baillieu Government has let down Victorian voters by wasting its first 14 months in office,” Mr Andrews said.

“We are a united team that’s focused on continuing to hold this do-nothing Government to account.

“Victorians need a Government that can make the hard decisions and do the hard work to create jobs and drive investment, not a Premier who is unable and even appears unwilling to lead.

“Ted Baillieu needs to start leading this state, not just watch on as jobs are lost, hospital beds are shut and schools are forced to cut programs because of budget cuts.”

The following members of caucus will serve as Parliamentary Secretaries to Shadow Ministers in portfolios as listed:

• Colin Brooks (Education),
• Anthony Carbines (Local Government and Suburbs),
• Martin Foley (Environment and Planning),
• Jane Garrett (Police and Emergency Services),
• Judith Graley (Leader of the Opposition),
• Natalie Hutchins (Public Transport),
• Frank McGuire (Scrutiny of Government),
• Don Nardella (Leader of the Opposition),
• Wade Noonan (Health),
• Jude Perera (Multicultural Affairs),
• Jaala Pulford (Regional and Rural Development and Agriculture), and
• Gayle Tierney (Employment).

“Since taking over the housing portfolio, Ms Lovell has released all four of the quarterly waiting list reports for 2011 late on a Friday afternoon,” Mr Wynne said.

“Her cynical attempt to avoid public scrutiny will not be lost on the 38,566 people languishing on the Victorian Public housing waiting.

“The fact is Ms Lovell has achieved nothing in her first year managing Victoria’s public and social housing.

“Ms Lovell, who failed to release the data along with her statement, is trying to spin her way out of the issues that are arising from the Baillieu Government’s complete lack of investment in public and social housing.

“How can Ms Lovell lay claim that the public housing waiting list has shortened by any effort by the Baillieu Government?

“The fact is almost all of the public housing building program in Victoria is a result of the Gillard Government’s stimulus package, which should deliver 6500 units of public and social housing by June this year.”

Ms Lovell’s failure to support public housing tenants in Victoria include:

• Taking money form the pockets of 38,000 pensioners for a public housing rent increase announced this week.

• The release of a homelessness ‘plan’ that failed to set out any plans for assisting young people experiencing homelessness, women and children escaping domestic violence, or people currently living in crisis accommodation; • The failure to provide any new funding for building or acquiring public and social housing in the 2011 State Budget; and • Providing the lowest targets for upgrading public housing and assisting families at risk of homelessness.

“Ms Lovell needs to stop hiding from public scrutiny and start making decision that will benefit the thousands of people who are waiting for public and social housing in Victoria,” he said.

The Federal Government and all states except Victoria had committed to fund the awarded pay increases of between 19 and 41 per cent over eight years to social and community services workers.

“This is indeed an historic day and a significant milestone in the long fight to achieve equal pay for women,” Mr Andrews said.

“The independent umpire has awarded significant wage increases for workers in the community services industry because they were comparatively underpaid – and underpaid because they work in an industry dominated by women.

“Victoria is the only state in Australia not to deliver a full funding commitment to right this wrong.”

Mr Andrews said Mr Baillieu must keep his word and commit the funds to make sure these wage increases were passed on to Victoria’s social and community services workers in full.

“Before his election, Mr Baillieu promised to back pay equity and boost wages for community services workers, who are among the lowest paid in the State,” he said.

“Mr Baillieu’s Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge went further and said this would be done ‘whatever the cost’.

“Ever since, the Baillieu Government has tried to wiggle out of its promise and, in an extraordinary about face, argued gender played no real role in the low wages paid to non-government community services workers.

“But the Baillieu Government has form when it comes to saying one thing and doing another, and undermining public sector workers.

“Negotiations with nurses are in disarray and the Government has walked away from a pre-election commitment to make teachers the highest paid in Australia.”

Shadow Minister for Employment Tim Pallas said community services workers did incredibly challenging work caring for our most vulnerable people.

“They deserve to be paid fairly for the work they do,” he said.

“A few extra dollars a week might not mean much to Mr Baillieu, but for low income families it makes a big difference.”

Mr Merlino and Mr Eren were elected unopposed to fill the vacancies left by former Deputy Labor Leader and Shadow Minister Rob Hulls, who resigned from parliament last week.

Leader of the Opposition Daniel Andrews welcomed their appointments.

“We are a strong and united team that’s focused on holding the Baillieu Government to account and I know the experience James Merlino and John Eren will bring to their new roles will hold Labor in good stead,” Mr Andrews said.

“Mr Merlino will bring a real energy and vigour to the role as Deputy Leader,” Mr Andrews said.

“We saw his determination during his dogged pursuit of Police Minister Peter Ryan during the Overland affair, and he brings his experience as a great campaigner and effective voice for his community to his new role.   “John Eren works hard and stands up for his community, and it’s these qualities that will make him a strong and effective member of the Shadow Ministry.

“It’s great to have another voice representing regional Victoria in Shadow Cabinet.”

Mr Merlino said it was a great honour to be the Deputy Leader of the Victorian Labor Party.

“Victorians deserve a better government than what they’ve got, and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to hold them to account,” Mr Merlino said.

“I’m excited to be part of Victorian Labor as we renew our party and work to be competitive for the 2014 election.”

Mr Eren said he was pleased to be able to play a role in the Shadow Ministry.

“I’ve worked hard to represent my electorate, and I’m looking forward to playing a role in the Shadow Ministry.

“I will keep the Government accountable for all their promises they made to the Victorian community leading up to the last election.

James Merlino, who is married with three children, was elected in 2002, and has since held various Ministerial roles including Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, and Minister for Police and Corrections.

In Opposition, he has held the roles of Shadow Minister for Police and Shadow Minister for the TAC and Road Safety.

John Eren has been a member of parliament since 2002.

In that time he has contributed greatly in his capacity as the chair of the Road Safety Committee, and since being in Opposition has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Education and Deputy Opposition Leader.

Mr Eren is married with five children, and has a strong connection with the Geelong community.

Portfolio allocations will be finalised in coming days.

“There’s no doubt workers across Victoria are worried about the future of their jobs,” Mr Andrews said.

“Hundreds of families at Toyota are now facing an uncertain future, and unfortunately they are among the many thousands of workers who have lost their jobs since Mr Baillieu came to office.

“There’s nothing more important to families than a job, but every time you pick up a newspaper, turn on the radio or television there are more reports of workers being made redundant.

There are now 9000 less people employed than when Mr Baillieu took office.

“Mr Baillieu has spent his first 14 months in power doing nothing,” Mr Andrews said.

“There’s no more time to waste. Victorians need and deserve to know when the Premier will deliver a plan to create jobs and make sure the state’s economy can hold up against any external pressures.

“Victorians need a Premier who will take charge and lead the state, not one who is more interested in hiding under his desk and hoping the tough issues just disappear.

“Premier, what date will you provide your jobs plan to Victorian families?”

Shadow Minister for Manufacturing Adem Somyurek and Member for Altona Jill Hennessy joined Mr Andrews during his visit to Toyota.

“Workers in Melbourne’s western suburbs deserve better from the Baillieu Government,” Mr Somyurek said.

“They need action from this do-nothing Premier.”

Ms Hennessy said: “Workers worried about their future at the Altona factory will be taking little comfort from Mr Baillieu’s claims the economy is his priority.

“A plan, not empty words, will help create jobs.”

“These job losses are devastating for workers at Toyota and in Melbourne’s western suburbs, and for their families” Mr Holding said.

“While Ted Baillieu plays the part-time Premier, there are now hundreds more workers and their families facing an uncertain future and wondering how they will pay their mortgages.

“These job losses won’t just hurt Victorian workers; they will impact on their families, the community and the state’s automotive industry.

“At the very least, the Baillieu Government must urgently provide affected workers with support to retrain and seek other work, as well as financial counselling and planning.”

Mr Holding said the Premier’s failure to deliver a jobs plan was hurting Victorian workers.

“Thousands of Victorians work in our automotive industry and the loss of hundreds of Toyota jobs will have a significant impact on the sector and the families who depend on it,” he said.

“These job losses will flow on to automotive parts manufacturers.

“We understand there are national and international factors affecting the economy, but the State Government has a special responsibility to support jobs and promote investment in Victoria.  Under Labor, Victoria was the powerhouse of jobs creation in Australia.

“Mr Baillieu’s failure to deliver a jobs plan to create and retain jobs and invest in the ongoing growth of the Victorian economy jeopardises the strong position that Victoria built over the last decade.

“If the Premier doesn’t wake from his year-long slumber soon, more jobs will be lost.”

When in Opposition, the-then Victorian Liberal Shadow Minister for Manufacturing Ryan Smith attacked the Labor Government’s support for manufacturing of the Toyota Hybrid in Altona, branding it nothing more than an “experiment”.

Just as the federal Liberal party remains divided over the question of support for advanced manufacturing in Australia, it’s clear that the same divisions exist in Victoria.

“Victoria’s manufacturing industry is the state’s largest employer, and under the Baillieu Government more than 20,000 jobs have already been lost from the industry.”

Member for Altona Jill Hennessy said the job losses would have a significant impact on the community.

“Ted Baillieu has let down workers and their families in the western suburbs,” Ms Hennessy said.

“The western suburbs have been hit with significant job losses during the past few months, and yet the community is still waiting to hear from the Premier about how he will support the area.

“Being Premier is more than just governing for Liberal-held seats – it’s about ensuring all communities are supported.”

A departmental briefing for Opposition members on the Government’s FOI Commissioner Bill was scheduled for today but at the 11th hour the Baillieu Government cancelled it.

It’s the second time the briefing has been cancelled.

Mr Pakula said the Baillieu Government was more concerned about attacking the Labor Opposition and the media, than running the state.

“The Baillieu Government postponed the initial briefing and has now cancelled the latest briefing,” Mr Pakula said.

“It is not only far-fetched for this Government to suggest that Opposition MPs attending a standard departmental briefing for this Bill briefing is a stunt, it is completely offensive.

“This standard Bill briefing was never going to be controversial until the Government pulled the pin at the last minute and then tried to blame the Opposition.

“Claims that this was a media stunt by the Opposition are just ludicrous. It’s the only ‘media stunt’ ever that the media were not told about.

“And suggestions that Labor MPs would intimidate departmental staff are laughable.

“I think departmental staff would feel more intimidated by the Baillieu Government’s plans to sack 3600 public service workers, than they would be about a meeting with members of the Labor party.”

Historically it is standard government practice, when introducing a Bill to parliament, that the relevant Minister offers the Opposition and its members a briefing with Ministerial staff and departmental representatives on the Bill.

“Coalition Ministers are jumping at shadows and losing the plot,” Mr Pakula said.

“This is the latest effort by the Baillieu Government to stymie debate on a Bill to appoint an FOI Commissioner who will be a toothless tiger.

“Victorians have every right to question what the Baillieu Government is trying hide.

Mr Pakula said the Opposition would not be seeking another briefing.

“We’ll manage just fine without a briefing and the Baillieu Government will be hearing our response on the Bill soon enough.

“Clearly the Government is using any device that it possibly can to avoid briefing the Opposition on its legislation.  This is hardly open, transparent and accountable government as Victorians were promised.”

Member for Broadmeadows Frank McGuire was on his way to the briefing when he was notified that it was no longer going ahead.

“It beggars belief that you can’t even get a briefing on, of all topics, Freedom of Information,” Mr McGuire said.

“This redefines farce.”

Member for Narre Warren South Judith Graley was also attending the briefing.

“The last-minute decision to cancel the briefing is an extraordinary act by a Government which seems to be addicted to secrecy and enjoys bullying anyone who criticises its parliamentary or political agenda,” Ms Graley said.

Mr Pallas said that in the last month, Victoria lost 2000 full-time jobs while 26,400 new full-time jobs were created across the rest of Australia.

“These figures are bad news for the Baillieu Government and bad news for people looking for full-time work.

“There are now 9000 less people employed than when Mr Baillieu took office.”

“In December, there were 2000 less full-time jobs in Victoria. This comes at a time when more people want to work more, with 10,700 Victorians identified as underemployed in the latest quarterly figures.

“Disturbingly, Victoria’s job participation rate dropped significantly last month, from 65.5 per cent to 65.1 per cent. This means more people are giving up looking for work because it’s become too hard to find a job.

“Also, Victorian youth unemployment is among the highest in Australia at 21.1 per cent – up from 14.6 per cent.”

Mr Pallas said today’s figures put more pressure on Mr Baillieu to deliver a jobs plan.

“Earlier this week, Mr Baillieu said the economy was his top priority. Why then is Mr Wells still the Treasurer? Why does he not have a plan to create jobs and attract investment?” he said.

“Nothing is more important to Victorians than a job, but without a plan to grow the economy more people will be out of work.

“And there is more bad news to come for job seekers, with leading economic indicators showing the number of job vacancies in Victoria drying up with a dramatic fall off in business confidence and private sector capital investment to support new jobs.

“Also big losses have been flagged for the finance and banking sector which will only lengthen Victoria’s dole queues.”

Mr Pallas said these figures were more evidence of the Baillieu Government’s lazy economic management and do-nothing approach to industry investment support and job creation.

“Under Labor, Victoria was the job creation capital of Australia. In 2010,100,000 new jobs were created and in 2009, Victoria created 92 per cent of all full time jobs in the country,” he said.

“How many Victorian workers will need to lose their jobs before Mr Baillieu starts to care?”

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that in December – the same month the Baillieu Government announced it would increase fees for vehicle owners – car sales in Victoria slumped by 1.5 per cent in just one month.

Car sales across the state fell by 4.3 per cent during the year – more than the national average of 3 per cent.

“These figures are just the latest evidence that Victoria’s economy is slipping backwards,” Mr Holding said.

“The Baillieu Government should be supporting jobs and industry, but instead has chosen to increase fees for car owners that could have serious flow-on effects for the automotive sector.”

Under Government changes, motor vehicle registration will increase by $35 per vehicle and the rate of stamp duty on new cars will rise from 2.5 per cent to 3.0 per cent.

“I’m concerned that when the price increases take effect, car sale figures will fall even further,” Mr Holding said.

“The Premier needs to admit that his cash grab to boost his budget bottom-line will cost jobs in the automotive industry.”

Mr Holding said the Baillieu Government’s failure to outline a jobs plan was hurting Victoria.

“The Premier claims the economy is his top priority but securing and creating jobs will take more than just words,” he said.

“Empty rhetoric without a solid plan to grow the economy means nothing to Victorian families.

“An economy going backwards will lead to fewer jobs for Victorians and that’s why Mr Baillieu needs a jobs plan now.”

Seasonally adjusted data released by the ANZ shows Victoria has experienced a 23.8 per cent drop in job advertisements during the past 12 months, and a 0.9 per cent decrease in December alone.

Shadow Employment Minister Tim Pallas said the Premier could not ignore the latest economic data, which revealed Victoria was the worst performing state when it came to job advertisements.

“These latest figures are an indictment on the Baillieu Government’s inaction and economic management,” Mr Pallas said.

“Month after month more data shows Victoria’s economy is in freefall but the Baillieu Government does nothing.

“The Baillieu Government has failed to give business the confidence to invest and employ Victorians.

“Nothing is more important to Victorians than having a job, and that’s why less jobs available for more people looking for work is bad news for families.”

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for December 2011 showed 21,500 more people were unemployed in Victoria than when the Baillieu Government came to office.

“How many workers will need to lose their jobs before the Baillieu Government wakes up and starts working to support investment and job creation in Victoria?” Mr Pallas said.

“Mr Baillieu can no longer sit by as Victoria’s unemployment queues get longer and business confidence plummets.

“The Baillieu Government must produce a jobs and infrastructure plan to grow jobs and give business the confidence and certainty it enjoyed under the previous government.”

“Nothing is more important to Victorians than having a job – which is why Labor has a strong record of backing the car industry and worked hard in Government to keep the industry viable,” he said.

“We welcome Ford’s renewed commitment to continue its operations in Victoria but the Baillieu Government must also reveal what it will do to secure Holden’s future.

“Holden both directly and indirectly supports thousands of Victorian jobs and is the key to the long-term future of Victoria’s car industry and the survival of hundreds of smaller car supply manufacturers across the State.”

Mr Pallas said the Baillieu Government was quite happy today to claim credit for the Ford investment but had been silent on their failure to secure the long-term future of Holden.

“Mr Baillieu was dragged kicking and screaming to support Ford and Geelong jobs,” he said.

“Mr Baillieu’s ministerial team and his Liberal Party colleagues have a long history of bagging Victoria’s car industry and Federal and State Labor’s efforts to support it.

“In Opposition last year, the Liberal Party’s Shadow Manufacturing Minister attacked Labor’s support for Toyota as a “shaky” experiment, while former Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett said government support for the car industry should be withdrawn.

“In Government, all they have done is increase stamp duty on Australian-made cars at a time when the high Australian dollar is making local cars less competitive on price.

“So it is no surprise that the Baillieu Government was too lazy to send a representative on Kim Carr’s car industry mission to Detroit to secure Holden’s future in Victoria despite South Australia’s Premier Jay Weatherill attending to fight to keep Holden’s Elizabeth plant open.”

Mr Pallas said the Baillieu Government urgently needed to develop a car industry plan as part of a comprehensive jobs plan for Victoria.

As a result, Mr Andrews said 6000 more Victorians will be waiting for elective surgery at the end of the year including an additional 2000 children.

“Mr Baillieu promised he would deliver more elective surgeries than the previous Labor Government,” Mr Andrews said.

“Instead, the 2011-12 Statement of Priorities for Victorian hospitals data shows Victorian hospitals will perform 7751 less elective surgeries this financial year – not more.

“Mr Baillieu’s health cuts will also result in a ballooning waiting list, which is expected to grow by 6349 patients.

“Sadly, vulnerable sick children will be hardest hit by Mr Baillieu’s growth funding shortfall. At the Royal Children’s Hospital, 2150 more children will be put on the waiting list for treatment including vital heart, bone, eye, brain and ear, nose and throat surgery.

“Mr Baillieu is happy to walk around taking credit for the new children’s hospital Labor built, but when it comes to doing the hard work of delivering better care for our children the Premier is nowhere to be seen.”

Mr Andrews said the Baillieu Government’s growth funding shortfalls had forced hospitals to make the difficult decision to reduce the number of elective surgeries this year.

“When hospitals cut elective surgery, you know the health system is critically underfunded,” he said.

“It confirms what health professionals have been saying for months –Victoria’s hospital system has never been as bad as this.

“And it will only get worse if Mr Baillieu has his way in the nurses’ dispute and cuts a further $100 million from the health budget each year, meaning the equivalent of 1758 nurses will be lost fromVictoria’s health system.”

Mr Andrews said elective surgery patients were the latest casualty of Mr Baillieu’s $500 million cut toVictoria’s health system revealed in this year’s State Budget.

“Mr Baillieu has not added one extra doctor, one extra nurse or one extra hospital bed – and has abandoned his promise to deliver an extra 100 hospital beds this year,” he said.

“He and his Government are clearly feeling the heat on health which is why they tried to bury these figures by dropping them during the busy holiday period.”

Elective Surgery Targets and Waiting List comparison 2010-11 vs 2011-12

Shadow Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the Government had back flipped on its commitment to the Victorian community after announcing today that it will replace less than 1% of the state’s powerline network, as identified by the VBRC.

“Today the Baillieu Government has turned its back on its commitment to implement all 67 of the recommendations made by the VBRC,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“After a year of fudging, the Baillieu Government has committed to replacing only 100km of Victoria’s powerline network each year – where, how and when it will start is anyone’s guess.”

Recommendation 27 of the Bushfire Royal Commission said the Government should implement the ‘replacement of all SWER power lines in Victoria’ with infrastructure in areas of highest risk to be replaced within 10 years. It also stated that all of the 22kV lines should also be replaced.

“Clearly, the Government has abandoned this recommendation, and in doing so, has made a fool out of Mr Ryan who said just four months ago that not implementing the full set of recommendations would make him ‘derelict’ in his duty,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“Today’s announcement will see another committee set up, without a timeframe for when powerline replacement and augmentation will actually begin.

“Energy Minister Michael O’Brien says replacement will take 10 years, butVictoriawill have to wait at least another fire season before any powerlines are replaced.

“The Baillieu Government’s inability to manage the state’s finances has meant this whole project will rely on a cap-in-hand request to the Federal Government for $250 million with little detail about what this will pay for.

“Mr O’Brien’s plan also relies on Victorian families to pay for half of the cost through their power bills, which are already set to rise in just two days time.

“The Energy Minister has been hiding from this issue all year, having delayed the report, blocked its release and now released the Government’s response under the cover of New Year’s Eve.

“This is the Minister who, earlier this year, attempted to pass legislation preventing criticism being levelled at him.

“So it comes as no surprise that Mr O’Brien announced the broken promise when many Victorians are on holiday so this controversial decision will go largely unnoticed.”

Mr Jennings said the Baillieu Government promised to release Victorian Health Services Performance Reports every quarter but had released no data since June – six months ago.

“And today, the Baillieu Government released data for the June 2011 and September 2011 quarters on the same day,” Mr Jennings said.

“It’s no surprise they tried to bury this report given it has exposed a record high number of patients waiting for elective surgery.

“Also, hospitals have failed ambulance and emergency department treatment time targets exposing the crisis inVictoria’s’ health system.

“This data backs what health professionals have been saying for months –Victoria’s hospital system has never been as bad as this.”

Mr Jennings said the data demonstrated the Baillieu Government’s abject failure to boost the health system’s performance.

It found the Baillieu Government had failed to meet treatment time targets in key areas, including:

• Emergency Department Category 3 (urgent) patients;
• Elective Surgery Category 2 (semi-urgent); and
• Ambulance patient transfers (only 77 per cent of patients were treated within 40 mins well below the 90 per cent target).

It also found:

• The number of patients waiting for elective surgery at the end of September had blown out to 41,601 – the highest on record;
• In July to September this year, an extra 97 patients waited more than one year for treatment than for the same quarter last year;
• Category 3 elective surgery patient average waiting times increased by 11 days over last 12 months;
• Elective Surgery hospital initiated postponements increased by 7.1 per cent.

“Health Minister, David Davis promised greater transparency and public accountability of hospital performance,” Mr Jennings said.

“Instead, he has put out two quarters of complex data on the one day –three days before Christmas – in a shameless attempt to dodge public scrutiny of the Baillieu Government’s failure on health in its first year in office.”

A Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission report today recommended removing local content requirements from government procurement tenders.

The Baillieu Government has approved this recommendation, and claims it will instead focus on maximising ‘local content through greater access and awareness of local suppliers’.

Shadow Minister for Manufacturing Adem Somyurek said the Premier’s decision to dump the local content targets for State projects would hurt jobs and manufacturing.

“Mr Baillieu is more interested in cutting thousands of jobs across Victoria, than he is in creating them,” Mr Somyurek said.

“Awareness alone won’t help local manufacturers compete with overseas companies – the value of local jobs needs to remain a focus in government procurement.

“We’ve already had 3600 jobs cut from the Victorian public sector, and now the Baillieu Government’s lack of support for the manufacturing sector is putting more jobs at risk.”

“This policy has been successful because it meant contractors involved in building local projects had to meet local content targets.

“It meant local manufacturers played a large role in major government projects likeAAMIPark, Southern Cross Station, and EastLink.”

Mr Somyurek said by taking away the content target, the Premier was backing manufacturers overseas above those in Cheltenham and Dandenong.

“Sending jobs and taxpayer dollars overseas will hurt the Victorian economy,” he said.

“Not only does this Government have no plan for jobs, it is removing the framework established over many years to support local jobs.

“This comes at the worst possible time for Victorian manufacturers, which are already struggling to cope with a high Australian dollar, global financial uncertainty and increasing competition from mass-production and low-cost economies such asChina.”

“The Baillieu Government’s inaction is already hitting Victoria, with a slowing of economic growth and rising unemployment.

“The Baillieu Government needs to set real targets. The lack of timelines and goals in this Government’s policies is undermining confidence in Victoria’s economy.”

A briefing for the Opposition on this important Bill was scheduled for today, but a political adviser in the office of Minister Andrew McIntosh called it off late last week claiming that because one departmental official was not available, the whole briefing needed to be rescheduled.

Though the Opposition indicated it was happy to be briefed by the Minister’s staff and other departmental staff who worked on the Bill, the Baillieu Government has now refused to brief Labor until 20 January next year.

Opposition Scrutiny of Government Spokesman Martin Pakula said the briefing would now be held six weeks after the Bill’s introduction and just two weeks before the Bill was due to be debated in Parliament.

“This decision is clearly designed to reduce the Opposition and media’s ability to scrutinise this Bill or to propose changes to it during the Christmas and New Year period,” Mr Pakula said.

“To rely on the absence of one person to delay a briefing by a month is ridiculous. Are we expected to believe that nobody else has worked on putting this Bill together?”

Through its own analysis of the Bill, the Opposition has already found:

• The Commissioner will have no jurisdiction over decisions made by Minister’s offices and political staff;
• The Commissioner will have no jurisdiction over decisions by Agency or Department Heads;
• The Commissioner will have no jurisdiction to examine a claim by an Agency that a document is “Cabinet in Confidence”;
• Massive new delays have been built into the process of seeking access to information, enabling the Government to defer the release of documents for months by changing its decision once the FOI Commissioner has begun an investigation;
• The Government will be able to frustrate the release of documents by appealing decisions of the FOI Commissioner to release documents to VCAT; and
• The Government has broken its pre-election commitment that the FOI Commissioner will have responsibility for monitoring all FOI requests and would have jurisdiction to enforce legally binding professional standards on Departments.

“Ted Baillieu once said that FOI should be a matter of ask and you shall receive. Unfortunately, this Bill means that FOI applicants are unlikely to see anything more than refusal letters for months and months.” Mr Pakula said

“For a Government that said it was committed to “improving the transparency and openness of Freedom of Information” by removing it “from the political process” this Bill is a disgrace, and it’s little wonder they don’t want to brief the Opposition until next year.”

“Nurses work hard each and every day to care for Victorians, and deserve to be supported by the State Government,” Mr Andrews said.

“Mr Baillieu’s continual refusal to negotiate in good faith has left the nurses with no choice but to take this action.

“The Premier has only himself to blame for a breakdown in negotiations.

“Mr Baillieu is trying to destroy nurse-to-patient ratios, putting more pressure on the nursing workforce and will mean less care for Victorian patients.

“His own leaked Cabinet documents show this.

“For the sake of Victorian patients, Mr Baillieu and his Health Minister David Davis need to step up to the negotiating table and give nurses a fair go.”

The 2011/12 Budget Update released today reveals 3600 public sector jobs will be cut.

“Mr Baillieu’s Christmas gift to Victorians is to cut back hardworking public sector workers who provide important services that people rely on,” Mr Andrews said.

“Any claims this won’t hit frontline services is just nonsense. For example, there are 2975 Victorian Public Service employees in the Department of Education alone.

“If you take away those who do the administration work, who does Mr Baillieu think will be forced to do the work?

“These cuts will put pressure on those working at the frontline, including teachers, nurses, child protection workers, and police.”

During a Budget Estimates hearing this year, Mr Baillieu said: “…this budget seeks to increase the number of public sector workers over the forward estimates by some 4000”.

“In just six months, Mr Baillieu has walked away from this commitment and instead taken the axe to 3600 public sector jobs.”

The Budget Update also reveals that Mr Baillieu has no plan to shore up Victoria’s faltering economy. He is expecting:

• Economic growth to fall for 2011-12 from 3.0 per cent to 2.25 per cent, and will continue to decrease in 2012-13; and
• More Victorians to be out of work in 2011-12 with the unemployment rate to increase from 5.0 per cent to 5.5 per cent.

Mr Baillieu has no plan but he is deceiving Victorians by:

• Taking more money from motorists, with motor vehicle registration increasing by $35 per vehicle and the rate of stamp duty on new cars from 2.5 per cent to 3.0 per cent.
• Giving Victorians less time to pay their stamp duty; and
• Increasing  the dividend required from WorkCover, money that could be better spent protecting Victoria’s workers.

“These changes won’t just hurt Victorians’ hip pocket, but also cause irreparable damage to Victoria’s automotive industry, which is already facing a high Australian dollar,” Mr Andrews said.

“This crucial industry employs about 35,000 Victorians.

“Victoria is slipping backwards after a year of inaction by Mr Baillieu.

“The do-nothing Premier has no plan to boost the economy or grow jobs.

“Our economy is going backwards, and this will mean less jobs for Victorians.”

Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics released data to show Victoria’s economy contracting as a result of a massive decline in Government infrastructure spending. It also showed Victoria’s unemployment rate increased to 5.5 per cent.

“This means since he came to office, Mr Baillieu has seen 21,500 more Victorians become unemployed,” Mr Andrews said.

“If Mr Baillieu thinks by slipping this announcement out just days from Christmas that Victorians won’t notice, he’s wrong.

“These cuts will impact services across the state and hurt Victorians.”

The State Opposition today launched a report card on the Baillieu-Ryan Government’s progress on its promised bushfire reforms.

“Twelve months ago, Ted Baillieu and Peter Ryan had a lot to say about the Bushfire Royal Commission’s recommendations,” Ms Allan said.

“Mr Baillieu made a solemn promise that his Government would implement the recommendations in full – ‘lock stock and barrel’ – and act urgently to give bushfire communities ‘clear direction’ to keep Victorians safe. But today, as Victoria heads into another dangerous bushfire season, Mr Baillieu and Mr Ryan have not done what they promised to make Victorians safer.

“Instead, they have broken their promise to implement the Commission’s recommendations in full, done nothing on a host of promised “urgent” safety measures, delayed Fire Action Week and slashed Victoria’s fire-fighting airforce.

“The Government’s only action so far is to take out a full page advertisement in newspapers. Peter Ryan and Ted Baillieu should spend less time appearing in advertising and more time working on delivering what they promised to the people ofVictoria.
“Ted Baillieu and Peter Ryan’s neglect could put lives at risk this summer. Victorians should be in no doubt that our state is not as ready as it should be for the bushfire season and the Baillieu Government is to blame.”

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Danielle Green said the Baillieu-Ryan Government had failed to protect Victorian bushfire communities.

“The delay to Fire-Action Week has meant landowners had less time this year to reduce fuel loads and implement their personal fire plan while funding for a third ‘Elvis-style’ air crane helicopter has been cut against the advice of bushfire fighting agencies,” Ms Green said.
“Instead of giving high-risk communities certainty, the new Bushfire Hazard Map is riddled with inconsistencies and has left people confused and anxious. Meanwhile, Mr Ryan and Mr Baillieu will not say how they will implement a key promise to upgrade powerlines and have refused to release the Power Bushfire Safety Taskforce’s final, concealing the cost and impact.”

Ms Allan said Mr Baillieu and Mr Ryan must start being upfront with the public on its bushfire reforms and say what promises they plan to break, what promises they will keep and how much it will cost.

Ms Richardson said the Baillieu Government had lowered train performance standards, including adding in extra minutes on particular journeys, ensuring the train operator met targets.

“The Baillieu Government has made it easier for Metro to meet performance targets and receive bonus payments – but this is not helping commuters,” Ms Richardson said.

“Based on the Baillieu Government’s re-worked timetable that doesn’t benefit commuters, Metro is likely to receive $2 million in taxpayers money every quarter in bonuses, without any real benefit to commuters.

“The Government’s changes include running nearly two out of every three new peak hour trains in the wrong direction and adding time to services across the network.

“It is mischievous for Transport Minister Terry Mulder to claim he has suddenly and miraculously improved train services, when the timetables, travel times and performance targets have been re-worked.

“Not only are commuters being punished by these changes but they are now being slugged more than $2 million for the privilege just weeks out from being hit with significant fare increases.”

Ms Richardson said the Baillieu Government’s May 2011 timetable added an average of three minutes to commuter journeys on the Frankston and Cranbourne Line, two to three minutes on the Pakenham Line and about one minute on the Sandringham Line, allowing Metro to more easily meet their performance targets without actually providing a better service.

In the past month about 1200 train services were cancelled across the network.

Ms Richardson said Mr Mulder needed to spend an hour at Flinders Street Station during peak hour to understand commuter frustrations with the network.

“No doubt Mr Mulder will use these misleading performance results to support his arrogant claim to have fixedVictoria’s public transport in only 11 months. The fix is in and it does nothing to help Victorians,” she said.

“If Mr Mulder spent more time listening to the experiences of commuters and less time telling everyone what a wonderful job he was doing then perhaps commuters wouldn’t have to put up with longer travel times and peak hour trains running in the wrong direction.”

The Shadow Minister for Health, Gavin Jennings, said Parliament’s Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee had recommended Mr Baillieu dump the ill-conceived plan promised during last year’s election.

“Since the plan was proposed, doctors, nurses, hospital staff and security personnel have universally condemned the proposal as dangerous – we don’t need guns in hospitals,” Mr Jennings said.

“And today, a Government-dominated parliamentary committee report has come to the same conclusion following a lengthy investigation.

“The Premier has broken many promises to Victorians since coming to office and I can understand his reluctance to break any more.

“But in the interests of the safety of hospital patients and staff, this is one promise he must not keep.

“Mr Baillieu has no choice but to swallow his pride and say he got it wrong and abandon this foolish, ill-conceived and dangerous policy.”

Mr Jennings said the Baillieu Government was forced to refer the policy to the Committee to investigate after the proposal came under heavy attack earlier this year.

The Committee responded today with a series of damning recommendations.

The Committee recommends that Protective Service Officers (PSOs) not be employed in Victorian hospitals and health services. Such a measure is inappropriate and contrary to the good management of security in hospitals and poses a greater safety risk. (Recommendation 11, Page xi of the report)

“Violence against hospital staff is unacceptable and staff should be able to do their job without interference. But there are better ways of keeping emergency departments safe than bringing armed personnel into them,” Mr Jennings said.

“Before the election, Mr Baillieu allocated $21 million to fund this policy.

“He must now use this money sensibly to fund other measures to improve the safety and security of hospital staff, patients and visitors.”

The report, released by the Baillieu Government today, outlined the findings of the Victorian Flood Review (VFR) chaired by Neil Comrie.

“Again Mr Baillieu’s crippling indecision was obvious in today’s response, with no clear position from the Government about their response to the report, confusing flood victims and their families,” Ms Green said.

“Outside parliament this morning the Premier said all recommendations would be adopted, yet an hour later the Deputy Premier said the Government would be ignoring at least three recommendations.

“Later still, a press release issues by the Premier’s Media Unit contradicted them both, saying all recommendations were still under consideration.”

Ms Green said the Baillieu Government’s slow progress in implementing the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations was laid bare in the report.

“Mr Baillieu said he would implement the Royal Commission recommendations ‘lock stock and barrell’, but many of the same issues are present in the Comrie report,” she said.

“Despite having 12 months in office and despite some of the most devastating floods in the State’s history, the Baillieu Government has failed to implement recommendations from sections outlined in the Royal Commission’s Report, which are also noted by Mr Comrie

“These include the following chapters in the VFR report: warnings and public information (ch. 2); evacuations and vulnerable people (ch. 4); clean up and recovery (ch. 5); and the adequacy of emergency grants (ch. 7).

“The Comrie report and the Royal Commission Implementation Monitor have also noted the Government’s failure to implement the vulnerable people’s register.

“This was raised by the opposition earlier this year with the Minister responsible, Mary Wooldridge, who was unaware the register was in her portfolio area.

“The report also recommends the state’s emergency services should fall under one central body, under the control of one responsible officer, like that of the fire services commissioner.

“Nearly a year after the floods struck the communities who are still getting back to normal, need the Government to show some leadership to help them recover and make sure this never happens again.”

Shadow Minister for Road Safety James Merlino said the Government’s attempt to rush a Bill through Parliament to stop drivers having a “traveller” during a car trip had left Victorians utterly confused about what they can and can’t do on and off the road.

“A senior Upper House Minister conceded in committee today that someone can be fined for drinking alcohol, even though they are not intoxicated, not driving and not instructing a learner,” Mr Merlino said.

“Under this change our police will have to be mind readers. If someone is walking to their car with a set of keys and a can of beer in their hands, police will have to decide if they intend to drive. It’s impossible.

“Victorians are still no clearer about what they can and can’t do this Christmas.”

Mr Merlino said the Bill was nothing more than a thought-bubble from the Premier, and was rushed into Parliament without any real consultation and work needed to deliver real improvements to road safety.

“Key stakeholders and expert groups such as the Transport Accident Commission and the Monash University Accident Research Centre were not even advised of the Bill, let alone able to contribute to it,” he said.

“By failing to have this Bill properly considered, it’s been revealed that Victorians may in fact find themselves with a hefty fine over Christmas if they finish a light beer when they’re walking back to the car, perhaps as a designated driver, after a Christmas or family BBQ.

“If this Bill is so important, then the Government should have spent the time speaking to stakeholders and getting the drafting right.

“But only after questioning in Parliament was the real impact of the law changes exposed.

“Road safety is too important to do on the run – it takes time, energy, funding and collaboration to deliver reductions to the road toll, to improve driver education and behaviour, and to prevent collisions, injury and road trauma.

“We want to see the Government delivering initiatives that will save lives on our roads, but we don’t want a Government rushing through laws that have not been thought through.”

Ms Richardson said the latest results from the University of Western Sydney, Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies – Interfleet Transport Opinion Survey (TOPS) was further evidence the Baillieu Government was failing Melbourne commuters.

“The Baillieu Government promised to improve Victoria’s public transport system but instead nearly 2 out of every 3 new services are travelling in the wrong direction during peak hour and no extra trains,” Ms Richardson said.

“Now they want to increase fares by an average 8.6 per cent with no improvement plan.

“Victorians are right to be pessimistic about the future of public transport under Mr Baillieu and Transport Minister Terry Mulder – Victoria’s new Sheriff of Nottingham, all take and no give.”

Ms Richardson said survey results showed confidence in public transport under the Baillieu Government had dropped to its lowest level in two years.

“Of those surveyed, 78 per cent said transport would be the same in their local area in one year’s time – the highest level for eight quarters of the survey – and a quarter said transport would be worse,” she said.

“Sixty-nine per cent of Victorian residents surveyed said urgent investment in rail was a high priority.

“Nearly two-thirds of Victorians surveyed said public transport was their number one priority –yet the Baillieu Government dithers on delivering any real benefit to commuters.”

Ms Richardson said commuters were usually happy to pay a bit extra if in return they receive a better service.

“Instead the Baillieu Government will slug commuters with massive fee increases and offer up no public transport improvements,” she said.

“The fare increases planned by Labor were designed to help fund new rail infrastructure under the Victorian Transport Plan but Mr Mulder has dumped the plan.

“It’s a bit rich for the Liberals to now expect to reach into the pockets of every commuter and ask them to pay more for nothing in return. The decline in commuter confidence is evidence of the Baillieu Government’s failure to invest in metropolitan or regional rail networks or make promised improvements.”

Mr Pallas said it was now up to Mr Baillieu to explain to the new jobless and their families why he had failed to develop a jobs plan for Victoria.

Today’s Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Labour Force figures for November reveal that seasonally adjusted unemployment rates in Victoria increased to 5.5 per cent from 5.4 per cent in October – above the national average.

“Nothing is more important to Victorians than having a job,” Mr Pallas said.

“And yet, thanks to a complacent Baillieu Government, almost 15,000 less Victorians were employed in full-time work between October and November, with 4000 more people unemployed this Christmas.

“Victorians are anxious about their jobs and their families’ security but are getting no support from Mr Baillieu.

Mr Pallas said figures like this would hopefully convince Mr Baillieu that jobs don’t happen by accident.

“The Baillieu Government has been in office for 12 months and they still have not developed a jobs or investment plan for Victoria,” he said.

“How many Victorian workers will need to lose their jobs before the Baillieu Government wakes up from the slothful slumber of incumbency and starts working to support investment and job creation in Victoria?”

Mr Pallas said the latest jobs figures, when coupled with yesterday’s ABS statistics showing Victorian State Final Demand falling 0.1 per cent over the September quarter – well behind the one percent national growth – was damning news for the Victorian economy and workers.
“It’s also a damning indictment of the Baillieu Government’s failure to protect and grow our economy,” he said.

“Caught in a quagmire of crippling indecision, Mr Baillieu failed to submit even one project for funding through Infrastructure Australia in the first half of the year and scrambled to only recently submit funding requests for more planning and studies.

“It’s time the Baillieu Government outlined a plan to create and secure jobs for Victorians.”

Ms Richardson said Transport Minister Terry Mulder admitted commuters would not be allowed to use toilets, but protective service officers could – and so could he if he was “caught short”.

“This is a disgraceful decision by the Baillieu Government which will inconvenience thousands of commuters in the south eastern suburbs,” Ms Richardson said.

“While Mr Mulder and PSOs will be able to use toilets at stations on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston and Sandringham lines, commuters won’t.

“Mr Mulder’s comment that if commuters are going to a station and there isn’t a toilet, ‘they make arrangements’ is outrageous.

“There are already many stations on the south eastern suburbs lines which either don’t have toilets available or are locked to commuters.

“If it is good enough for PSOs and the Minister to use a toilet at stations then it should be perfectly fine for commuters.

“There should be no reason at all why PSOs manning these stations cannot open up the toilets for commuters to use.”

Ms Richardson said south eastern suburbs commuters were already reeling from the Baillieu Government’s broken promise to improve public transport and station facilities.

“The only new peak hour service on the Pakenham line is travelling in the wrong direction from Pakenham to the city,” Ms Richardson said.

“The Baillieu Government claimed to have added five new peak hour services on the Frankston line. However, the analysis shows that of the five new services two are travelling in the wrong direction and the remaining three evening peak hour trains all leave the city before 5pm.

“Nearly 50 per cent of the new peak hour services on the Sandringham line are travelling in the wrong direction.

“The Baillieu Government promised to improve public transport for the south eastern suburbs.

“Instead it has delivered no new services, banned commuters from using toilets and raised fares from January 1, 2012 by 8.6 per cent (approximately $150 extra per year for daily zone one fare) or in some cases more than double the inflation rate.”

The ABS Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product statistics show Victoria is just one of two states to record negative state final demand for the September quarter.

While Australia’s GDP rose 1 per cent, Victoria recorded negative growth, with State Final Demand falling by 0.1 per cent.

The data shows a staggering fall in Government infrastructure investment, dropping 17.5 per cent over the quarter.

Shadow Treasurer Tim Holding said the state was going backwards under Ted Baillieu.

“This data is further evidence of the paralysis creeping through the Victorian economy,” Mr Holding said.

“Through its inaction, the dithering do-nothing Baillieu Government is letting investment and jobs slip to other states.

“The Baillieu Government has failed to invest in infrastructure and still has no plan to grow jobs.

“An economy going backwards will mean less jobs across the state.

“It will be Victorian families who will be hurt by the Baillieu Government’s failure to grow the economy.”