Ms ADDISON (Wendouree) (19:12): It is an absolute pleasure to be here tonight on St Patrick’s Day to raise an adjournment matter. My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Employment in the other place regarding helping more Victorians to get back to work after the COVID pandemic.

The action that I am seeking is for the minister to update me on how the Andrews Labor government’s $619.4 million Jobs for Victoria plan to return thousands to the workforce will support jobseekers in my electorate of Wendouree and in Ballarat.

I am very proud that our government is prioritising getting Victorians back to work after a very difficult 2020 and that we have an ambitious job target of creating 40 000 new jobs by 2025, with 20 000 of those created by 2022. I am pleased that the Jobs Victoria Fund will support both Victorians looking for work as well as businesses looking to recover and grow, with wage subsidy payments of up to $20 000 available to employers who take on workers.

Jobseekers in Victoria often face multiple challenges and barriers to getting a job and need a range of employment supports. I welcome the announcement of funding for job mentors and advocates across Victoria and in the Central Highlands. I am sure this support will be most beneficial.

I am also pleased that there will be a strong focus on supporting women, particularly women over the age of 45, as women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID pandemic.

I thank the Minister for Employment for the great work that she is doing to get Victorians back to work. I look forward to updating my community on how this important jobs plan will support local jobseekers and businesses as we recover from the COVID pandemic.

The Minister for Employment has responded to this adjournment matter; take a look at her response.

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