Premier

Labor Government is Getting Victoria Back to Work

23 December 2014

Today, the Andrews Labor Government delivered on its commitment to make the Back to Work Bill the first piece of legislation introduced to the 58th Parliament of Victoria.

Sadly the Coalition showed that it has no more regard for the plight of unemployed Victorians than it did in government. The opposition attempted to block the Andrews Government’s plan to get Victoria Back to Work.

The Government is taking immediate action to address the jobs crisis created by the Coalition. During the Coalition’s term in office it allowed unemployment in Victoria to soar to 6.8 per cent, the highest rate in more than a decade.

The scheme will provide incentives to companies that hire unemployed youth, retrenched workers, the long-term unemployed and those likely to be excluded from the job market.

With the previous Liberal Government leaving behind the worst unemployment rate in over a decade, Premier Daniel Andrews anticipates that the Back To Work initiative will help create at least 100,000 jobs.

The $100 million in financial assistance will provide incentives for companies to employ workers who would otherwise be at risk of prolonged unemployment. Companies that hire eligible workers will receive fixed payments to offset the costs associated with hiring extra employees. These include state taxes, training, transport and tools.

Payments will either be made as tax rebates or by cheque, after workers have been employed for a three month probationary period.

The scheme will come into effect in April 2015, and the first payments would be provided from July 2015.

All Victorian businesses will be eligible to participate in the scheme, except those with a poor workplace safety record. Provision will be made to safeguard against businesses fraudulently accessing the scheme.

Quotes Attributable to Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria

“The Labor Government will get our state back to work, because every job is worth fighting for.’

“This plan is a path for young people who are out of work and a lifeline for loyal employees who’ve lost their job.”

Quotes Attributable to Tim Pallas, Treasurer of Victoria

“We’re in the middle of a jobs crisis. The Liberals left Victoria with the highest unemployment rate since Ansett collapsed in 2001. In government they wouldn’t acknowledge the problem; in opposition they are trying to stop the solution.”

“If companies hire unemployed young people or retrenched workers, they’ll get an incentive payment and we’ll get a boost to our economy.”

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Reviewed 19 August 2020

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