Victoria’s two major political rivals are hoping to woo voters with their latest policies as the state marks less than 50 days until polling day.
Premier Ben Carroll used a visit to Ballarat on Sunday, October 11th to announce a re-elected Labor government would introduce a “Royalties for the Regions” initiative.
It would see 25 percent of all taxes collected through mining activity redistributed to “services and infrastructure” in regional Victoria.
This comes ahead of what’s predicted to be a mining boom in the state as companies look for critical minerals such as antimony, titanium, zircon and other “rare earths”.
“Victoria was once the biggest producer of gold in the world, and now we are on the cusp of another boom,” Mr Carroll said.
“If the wealth comes out of regional Victoria, the wealth should go back into regional Victoria – it’s that simple.”
The policy is decidedly similar to the state opposition’s pledge to commit 25 percent of all infrastructure spending to the regions.
Meantime, yesterday also saw the Liberal Party’s leader, Jess Wilson unveil the Coalition’s plan to bring back Technical Colleges.
Ten such colleges would be established to provide “hands-on vocational education and training in trades” such as plumbing and carpentry, at a cost of $222 million.
Each college would cater for “around 500 students” and be co-located at existing secondary schools and TAFE Institutes.
“Not every student thrives in a traditional classroom, and not every young person wants to go to university. They deserve another pathway to a great career,” Ms Wilson said.
“Our plan will grow our economy and help get more homes built by better connecting what students learn at school with the jobs our state desperately needs filled.”
The opposition hasn’t yet revealed where the colleges would be placed, nor if any regional schools of TAFE providers have been approached to run them.
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