The Andrews Labor Government is giving young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians access to additional wellbeing support services located at safe spaces in western Victoria. Minister for Equality Martin Foley today met with young LGBTIQ+ Victorians who will benefit from $3.2 million in funding in the Victorian Budget 2022-23 to support the design and delivery of LGBTIQ+ safe space services.

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Ballarat to position itself as a must-visit craft and small batch drink destination with a new hub for distilling and brewing. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced a $450,000 investment from the Labor Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund to create the new hub – which will be a tourism drawcard for the region while creating more jobs.

A major investment by one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand is creating a jobs boost in Ballarat, thanks to backing from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula today announced the Labor Government’s support for George Weston Foods’ new Mauri flour mill in Ballarat and production expansion across regional Victoria.

Sovereign Hill will soon boast new cultural and event spaces, generating jobs and attracting more visitors, thanks to a $6 million investment from the Andrews Labor Government. Minster for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula visited the historic Ballarat tourist attraction today to announce the upgrade, funded from the Labor Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

An Australian consulting giant will establish a new office in Ballarat, creating up to 200 jobs in the important regional centre, backed by support from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Economic Development Tim Pallas today announced the establishment of the Ernst & Young (EY) Service Delivery Centre at the Federation University Ballarat Tech Park in Mt Helen.

The Andrews Labor Government is serving up more jobs supporting hospitality venues and tourism in regional Victoria. Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford today announced a $6 million initiative which will provide 240 jobseekers with hospitality and tourism traineeships to help address workforce shortages across the state.

Ballarat and Grampians patients will have better treatment closer to home for cancer therapy, surgery and mental health as part of the major expansion of health care announced in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.

The Andrews Labor Government is creating better sporting facilities as well as upgrading an RSL hall and a community garden in a bid to revitalise the town of Sebastopol. Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle today joined members from the Community Reference Group at MR Power Park in western Victoria to inspect works on the new facilities, backed by more than $1 million funding from the Labor Government’s Spotlight on Sebastopol program.

Women aspiring to become a local councillor are being encouraged to apply for a new program as the Andrews Labor Government continues the push for gender equity in the local government sector.

The Andrews Labor Government will provide fresh and healthy food with the new Ballarat Foodbank Hub, ensuring food relief gets to the people who need it most.  

The Andrews Labor Government has stocked Victorian waterways, including in the Ballarat region, with a record 10 million fish over the past year, setting a new nationwide record.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering a major boost for local jobs in Ballarat with recruitment underway for skilled manufacturing, procurement, testing, and factory fit-out roles as part of the X’Trapolis 2.0 train build.

Encouraging young Victorians to pursue a career in the civil construction industry, the Andrews Labor Government’s regional road maintenance blitz is making a significant investment into supporting apprentices across the state.