Labor's plan for a stronger and fairer Victoria

The challenges facing Victoria and Labor’s 10 year plan for addressing them, form the basis of the Victorian Labor’s draft 2010 Platform released by State Secretary, Nick Reece today.

Setting out Labor’s priorities for the next four years and beyond, the draft Platform - Leadership For All – focuses on investing in people and infrastructure to secure Victoria’s prosperity.  

The draft Platform will be debated at the ALP State Conference on 19 June and establishes the framework for the policies to be announced by the State Labor Parliamentary team for the November election.

Mr Reece said Victorian Labor was best placed to meet the challenges facing the State and deliver more jobs and better services for Victorian families.

The key challenges specifically identified in the draft Platform include:
•    Creating new jobs during a fragile global economic recovery;
•    New health services for an ageing population with every week another 1,000 Victorians turning 65;
•    Expanding education, training and children’s services so the 200 babies born every day during the current baby boom get the best start possible in life;
•    Improving transport links as population and demand grows strongly;
•    Protecting our environment and tackling climate change that is causing more droughts and bushfires; and
•    Tackling alcohol-related crime and keeping Victoria safe.

“The draft 2010 Platform is Labor’s plan to meet these challenges and build a better future – it will act as a roadmap to a stronger and fairer Victoria in which our values and way of life are protected,” Mr Reece said.

“Central to Labor’s draft Platform is the principle of always standing up for Victorian families by creating new jobs and building stronger, safer and vibrant communities across the whole of the State.”

“The plan contains practical initiatives to help Victorian’s with the everyday challenges they face as well as a long-term strategy to invest in the things that will make a difference and ensure Victoria remains the most livable State.”

Mr Reece said the draft Platform contained new ideas and new approaches to issues and highlights the stark differences between Victorian Labor and the Liberal National Coalition.

“Only Labor has done the hard-work and has the detailed plan to genuinely invest in the Victoria of the future – with infrastructure and new industries to support our population and a dedicated regional development program,” he said.

“Only Labor understands that there is a gap between rich and poor in Australia and Government must play a role.  Only Labor understands what it is like to live on a modest family income and face the sorts of challenges that everyday Victorians face.”

The 175 page document contains over 360 detailed policies, all aimed at making Victoria the best place to live, work and raise a family.  Key elements in the draft 2010 Platform include:
•    Education will be Labor’s number one priority with a stronger focus on early childhood development, the teenage years, transition to work and training for those who want to learn a trade or do an apprenticeship;
•    Taking the pressure of health and hospitals through major new investment and better planning as well as new initiatives to increase survival rates from cancer and improve preventative health programs;
•    A commitment to “rural proof” new policy decisions by requiring the implications for rural areas be considered as part of every Cabinet decision.  Major new investment to be focused on developing the region’s to create new jobs and industries across the whole State.
•    New policies to control growth in Victoria to ensure the liveability of Melbourne and rural communities are protected as the economy and population grows.  The Platform commits Labor to major new investment in infrastructure as the foundation for managing population growth.  It commits Labor to ensuring that in every city, every town and every suburb local services are expanded to keep up with demand;
•    Protect the environment and position Victoria as a leader and innovator in tackling climate change through a strong commitment to investment in renewable energy and low emission  technologies;
•    A hard-lined approach to crime with support for increased police resources, support for new crime fighting technology and adequate police powers to reduce crime and keep our streets safe. There is a new chapter on the Respect Agenda to build a culture of respect, reduce bullying and alcohol fueled violence and promote healthy relationships, diversity and volunteering;
•    Major new investment in transport and integration of transport and planning;
•    Help families in their everyday lives by protecting their rights at work and tackle emerging issues like cyber-bullying and children’s body image; and
•    Strong financial management remains the foundation stone on which all Labor policy will be made with a commitment to maintaining a budget surplus of $100 million and closely managing expenditure and avoiding waste.
 
“Every four years we review our 10 year plan comprehensively from top to bottom so we can offer Victoria new leadership, new ideas and forward thinking,” Mr Reece said.

“Leadership For All is Victorian Labor’s blueprint for a fairer, more prosperous Victoria, for more jobs and better services for Victorian families.

Mr Reece thanked the numerous party and policy committee members who contributed many hours of hard work to produce the draft 2010 Victorian ALP Platform.

Copies of the draft Platform are available at ALP State Office at 360 King St, West Melbourne or online at www.alpvictoria.com.au/Policies-and-Platforms/Platform.html