A massive investment in education and infrastructure in the 2018-19 Victorian state budget is the Andrews government’s response to a period of significant population growth largely driven by overseas migration.

The Victorian Government has committed to spending $4.3 billion on new roads and $1.9 billion on public transport as well as $2.8 billion on 28 new schools as Melbourne’s population increased by 125,400 people, or 2.7 per cent, in 2016-17 to reach 4.9 million.

Net overseas migration was the major contributor to population growth in Melbourne, adding 80,000 people in 2016-17, or 64 per cent of total population change, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Treasury Secretary David Martine revealed in a budget briefing that the rate of new enrolments in schools is even higher than the rate of population growth.

Also in the budget is $4.2 billion in spending on health and $476 million for TAFES, including free tuition for 30 courses in occupations where there is a shortage of labour.

Multicultural funding was boosted to $43.6 million including a $21.9 million injection toward specialised employment support programs aimed at improving migrant and refugee employment outcomes

The budget includes $8.6 million for a new African Communities Action Plan, which will fund programs that foster employment, education, skills, health and wellbeing.

“The funding will be provided to empower members of Victoria’s African communities to address economic and social issues,” the budget documents say.

Another $1.7 million will support culturally diverse youth at risk of becoming disengaged with the broader society.

The budget also includes more than $6 million for the Capacity Building and Participation Grants Program (CBP) for diverse cultural groups.

The program will boost participation, inclusion and contribution of priority groups – including regional communities, refugees and asylum seekers, young people, women and seniors – and is on top of $1.2 million to build capacity and boost participation in African and Pacific Island communities.

The CBP funds new and existing initiatives in culturally diverse and faith-based communities that seek to: reduce family violence and all forms of violence against women; empower Victorians of African and Pacific Island backgrounds, particularly young people, to lead projects of change; remove social and economic barriers by better connecting communities with mainstream services; strengthen the capacity of local organisations to better engage and support the people they represent; and, remove social and economic barriers for young people.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott said the program was “designed to build the knowledge and skills of culturally diverse and faith-based communities across the state, helping more people participate and contribute to everyday life in Victoria”.

Victorians go to the polls on November 24.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Infrastructure investment of $13.7 billion – including $4.3 billion on new roads, $1.9 billion on public transport and $2.8 billion on 28 new schools.
Record $705 million to address mental illness and drug addiction, creating six new emergency department hubs, 89 new acute inpatient beds and three new rehabs in regional Victoria.
Investment of $396 million to funding Australia’s first Heart Hospital.
$476 million on TAFE, including $172 million to make TAFE free for 30 priority courses and
$304 million for 30,000 extra training places for TAFEs, learn Locals and private training providers
$129 million for court resources, including 18 additional magistrates, two new County Court judges and a Supreme Court judge.

VICTORIA’S FISCAL POSITION

Surplus: $1.4 billion
Revenue: $69.5 billion
Infrastructure investment: $13.7 billion
Net debt (2017/18): $19.6 billion – less than 6 per cent of GSP.
GST revenue: $16.9 billion
Total tax revenue: $24.1 billion
Unemployment: 5.75 per cent – 70 per cent of new jobs created in the 2016/17 were in Victoria
Growth: 2.75 per cent

Laurie Nowell
AMES Australia Senior Journalist