The Andrews Labor Government will seek to encourage greater diversity on Victoria’s councils. Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins, speaking at the 2015 Australian Local Government Leadership Summit today, said the Labor Government was committed to seeing Victoria become a national leader in council diversity…

The Andrews Labor Government’s reforms to strengthen council governance and reduce councillor misconduct have been given Royal Assent. The changes, initiated to improve the standard of behaviour for councillors, provide a clear process for dealing with misconduct and empower councils and the Minister for Local..

A simple municipal boundary change will see the Logic Estate, North East Victoria’s largest freight and logistics hub, take another step forward. The Andrews Labor Government has gazetted a municipal boundary change along a key rail line, which means a proposed new intermodal rail terminal..

Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins has today accepted the advice of the independent Transition Auditors appointed to examine the proposed separation of Sunbury from the City of Hume. The Hon Frank Vincent AO QC and Mr John Watson provided advice to Ms Hutchins on..

Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins has today launched the new Maggolee website, a resource for local councils to work more closely with Aboriginal communities. Developed by Reconciliation Victoria and with funding from Victorian Government, the website provides information on how each..

Minister for Local Government and Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins has called on David Davis to apologise for his disrespectful and derogatory description of employees at the independent regulator Essential Services Commission (ESC). Mr Davis, Opposition Spokesperson for Planning, Local Government and Equality, labelled employees of..

Uncontrolled rate hikes will soon be a thing of the past, as the Andrews Labor Government tables legislation for the Fair Go Rates system. Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins said the Fair Go Rates system, to be delivered in time for the 2016-17 financial..

City To Keep Moving While Melbourne Metro Rail Is Built Melbourne’s CBD will keep moving while Australia’s biggest public transport project is built underneath. Six months ago, Swanston Street was announced as the preferred alignment for the metro tunnels and the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority..

The Andrews Labor Government has welcomed Renault Australia’s decision to move its automotive apprentice training program from Sydney to Melbourne, creating new high-skilled jobs and training opportunities for Victorians. Minister for Industry Lily D’Ambrosio visited Renault’s state of the art training facility in Mulgrave today…

Attorney-General Martin Pakula today announced the introduction of a new Bill to amend Victoria’s counter terrorism laws. Mr Pakula said the Terrorism (Community Protection) Amendment Bill 2015 will extend the sunset dates currently applying to the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 from March 2016 to December 2021. The Bill will also..

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering a key election commitment to restore student and staff representation on University and TAFE Councils and Boards. Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert said good governance must include the views of staff and students because they’re central to..

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to implement all the recommendations of the Betrayal of Trust inquiry, with legislation introduced in Parliament today for new mandatory Child Safe Standards. The new legislation will ensure all organisations that deal with children have appropriate..

Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins has welcomed the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) support for the Andrews Labor Government’s Fair Go Rates cap. Speaking today, President Peter Tuohey said the VFF supported the Labor Government’s plan to deliver greater council accountability and value for money..

New data has revealed that Victorians have faced an average rate increase of almost 6 per cent every year for the last decade. Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins said the state-wide average rate increase of 5.99% was an unfair and unsustainable burden for Victoria’s..

Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins has today welcomed the release of a discussion paper on  the labour hire industry and the rate of insecure work in Victoria. Ms Hutchins said the discussion paper marked the beginning of the independent inquiry chaired by Professor Anthony..

Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins has today welcomed the release of a discussion paper on  the labour hire industry and the rate of insecure work in Victoria. Ms Hutchins said the discussion paper marked the beginning of the independent inquiry chaired by Professor Anthony..

Residents on the outer edge of Melbourne will soon have access to improved community spaces, with the allocation of $40 million under the Andrews Labor Government’s Interface Growth Fund. From spaces that support maternal child and health services to seniors activities, Minister for Local Government..

Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins has congratulated this year’s READYS Award recipient Maroondah City Council for their work in engaging with young people in their local community. Now in their third year, the Recognising Excellence Awards for Delivering Youth Services (READYS) recognise the work..