The Andrews Labor Government is another step closer to delivering on an $8 million election commitment to establish the Office of the Skills Commissioner. A call for Expressions of Interest for the new role of Skills Commissioner will begin appearing from 29 August 2015, which..

Victoria’s apprentice, trainee and training teacher of the year were among the winners announced at last night’s 2015 Victorian Training Awards. Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert congratulated the winners in each of the 14 judged categories, adding they represented the brightest and the..

The Andrews Labor Government is taking a tougher stance on animal cruelty by introducing legislative changes that will deliver increased penalties, tougher enforcement powers and greater protections for vulnerable animals. Changes to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 will ensure the Act’s purposes..

Victorian volunteers who deliver on-ground environmental works throughout the state have been recognised in the 2015: Victorian Landcare Awards. The 2015 Awards ceremony was hosted by Her Excellency The Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria at Government House. Minister for Environment, Climate Change and..

Three exceptional teachers and eleven innovative programs and have been named as finalists for the 2015 Early Years Awards. The awards celebrate the outstanding work being done to improve the health, learning, development and wellbeing of Victorian children and their families. This year’s awards include..

The Andrews Labor Government today welcomed the confirmation of Victoria’s triple A stable credit rating by international agency, Standard & Poor’s. Standard & Poor’s said the rating reflects our state’s ‘very strong financial management and economy’, and ‘Victoria’s strong budgetary performance and low contingent liabilities’,..

The Andrews Labor Government is reinstating a 100km/h speed limit on an outbound section of the Calder Freeway from Keilor to Taylors Lakes. Member for Sydenham, Natalie Hutchins and Member for Sunbury, Josh Bull welcomed the increase that will come into place on the freeway,..

Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins today announced the Andrews Labor Government’s plan to strengthen councillor conduct standards. The proposed Local Government (Improved Governance) Bill 2015, to be presented to Parliament in the next month, will clarify expectations of councillors, provide tougher standards against councillors..

A virtual emergency involving a large truck pile up and a hazardous chemical spill was simulated in Melbourne today to test councils’ abilities to deal with large numbers of injured people and mass evacuations. Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett said the ‘aftermath’ scenario involved..

The Andrews Labor Government is asking all Victorians to have their say about the future of early childhood services. As part of the Labor Government’s commitment to transforming early childhood health, development and learning in Victoria, Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos, will today..

The Andrews Labor Government is once again recruiting seasonal project fire fighters to join the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Parks Victoria for the coming fire season. The Government is aiming to recruit at least 600 project fire fighters for this..

The Andrews Labor Government has commended Ballarat-based Gekko Systems for securing a $70 million contract to build a mineral processing plant for TMAC Resources’ Hope Bay project in Canada. The plant will be primarily designed, manufactured, assembled and shipped from Ballarat and, where possible, parts..

The Andrews Labor Government has confirmed the return of one of Victoria’s most popular cultural events, White Night Melbourne. Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren today joined Lord Mayor Robert Doyle to announce that Melbourne will dazzle thanks to..

The Andrews Labor Government has secured a $13.9 million investment by carbon fibre and advanced composites manufacturer Quickstep Holdings to relocate process, research and development (R&D) functions from Germany to Geelong, creating 20 new, highly skilled jobs. In Waurn Ponds today, Minister for Regional Development,..

Victoria has set a new benchmark in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs, with the launch of the state’s first dedicated cobalt-testing facility today. Minister for Racing Martin Pakula officially opened the $350,000 cobalt-testing laboratory, funded with a $200,000 investment from the Andrews Labor Government. Racing..

Bees have never been more important and the Andrews Labor Government is working to protect them from exotic pests and diseases that threaten our $90 million honey industry. The big threat is from the parasitic varroa mite, a pest carried by the Asian honey bee..

THREE construction companies have been shortlisted to build the Melbourne Airport to Bulla Road section of the CityLink Tulla Widening project. Lend Lease, Fulton Hogan and Leighton Contractors will now submit a formal bid for the contract, expected to be announced in late-2015. Deputy Prime..

The new $200 million Women’s and Children’s Hospital to be built in Sunshine will be named after the late Premier Joan Kirner AC. Joan Kirner will be celebrated today at an event marking 25 years since she became the first female Premier of Victoria. Joan..