The Andrews Labor Government’s record investment in police has seen a huge increase in police numbers over the last two years, with hundreds of new sworn officers joining the force. The Victoria Police Annual Report 2015/16 tabled today shows Victoria had 13,188 Full Time Equivalent..

The Andrews Labor Government today announced tough new laws to stop courts from using community correction orders (CCOs) for the most serious crimes – such as rape and murder. The former Liberal Government’s CCO regime saw them imposed in cases where incarceration would have been..

The Andrews Labor Government is helping more Aboriginal children and young people stay with their communities or return to them. Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos announced that $687,000 will be provided to 10 Aboriginal organisations to help them connect Aboriginal children and young..

The Andrews Labor Government’s disciplined financial management has resulted in a strong operating surplus of $2.7 billion for the 2015-16 period, the Victorian 2015-16 Financial Report showed today. Tabled by Treasurer Tim Pallas, the report showed state final demand as the highest in Australia, growing..

    The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Children’s Week celebrations across Victoria with dozens of family-friendly events for local communities. Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today announced that more than 65 organisations will share more than $55,000 in grants to support events..

The Andrews Labor Government is leading the nation in support for local jobs and industry according to new data in the Victorian Industry Participation Policy Annual Report 2015/16. The number of strategic projects more than tripled over the last financial year, with minimum local content..

The Andrews Labor Government has introduced legislation to establish Transport for Victoria (TfV) – a new overarching transport agency to coordinate Victoria’s road and public transport system and plan for its future. Like Transport for London and other transport agencies around the world, TfV will..

The Andrews Labor Government is strengthening public ownership of V/Line, to protect it from any future attempts by the Liberal and National Party to privatise it and run it in to the ground. Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today introduced legislation to transfer V/Line’s..

In a show of Victoria’s reputation as a top destination for international education, 28 students from 18 countries have been named as finalists in the 2016 Victorian International Education Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Victoria’s 175,000 international students as well..

The Andrews Labor Government will today introduce legislation to abolish on-the-spot penalty fares on public transport and deliver a simpler, fairer and more effective fare enforcement system for Victoria. The Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Amendment (Abolition of Penalty Fares Scheme) Bill is the next major..

The Andrews Labor Government is putting animal welfare first by ending industrial scale breeding of cats and dogs, with legislation set to be introduced into Victorian Parliament today. Victoria’s Domestic Animals Act will be overhauled to protect the welfare of breeding cats and dogs and..

A municipal monitor has been appointed to Central Goldfields Shire Council to provide support during the caretaker period as an investigation by the Local Government Compliance and Investigations Inspectorate continues. Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins has appointed Bill Jaboor to provide greater certainty for..

The Andrews Labor Government today hosted the inaugural Local Government Ministerial Women’s Roundtable focused on practical changes to lift the number of women in senior roles in the sector. Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins launched the Roundtable earlier this year as a forum for..

Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today welcomed a report by the Commission for Children and Young People into maintaining cultural connections for Aboriginal children in care. Of the report’s recommendations that relate to the Department of Health and Human Services, all have been..

All Victorian students will learn about respectful relationships to help end the vicious cycle of family violence as part of a new mandatory primary and secondary school subject starting next year. Minister for Education James Merlino and Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today..

Victoria is set to receive a major boost to business and investment relations with one of its major trade partners as more than 200 Japanese corporate leaders visit Melbourne for the 54th Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference. The three-day conference brings together leading representatives from Japan..

Ford factories in Geelong and Broadmeadows will close their doors for the last time today, marking the end of 90 years of manufacturing in Victoria. This will be a very sad and difficult day for workers – many who have spent their entire working lives..

Victoria is leading a push for reforms to the national health workforce watchdog to ensure swift and decisive action can be taken to protect patients from dangerous and dodgy health practitioners. Minister for Health Jill Hennessy will today put a suite of measures to the..