Victoria Cares is a Green jobs initiative that would be dedicated to funding the creation of longer term, secure jobs at a range of levels in the caring economy. These could consist of new roles or existing casual or part time employees shifting to secure or full time employment.
Job allocation
Funding allocation would be determined by an independent expert taskforce based on a range of factors including sector need, workforce availability and submissions from departments and organisations. Affirmative action targets would be included for gender, young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, CALD workers, and people living with a disability. To support job creation, funding would also be available for training, direct client support, operations and management costs.
Economic stimulus
Government stimulus expenditure on education, healthcare and social services creates far more jobs than spending in other areas. Women have been among the hardest hit by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis, so Victoria’s economic recovery needs to prioritise increasing employment in female dominated areas of the economy.
Skills and training
Victoria Cares will complement existing training initiatives such as Free TAFE, to ensure people who need retraining can access the newly created jobs. Retaining through TAFE and universities will be a necessary component of meeting the longer term needs of the caring professions.
Long term funding
The scheme is designed to rapidly rollout jobs, whilst further state and federal sector reforms such as implementing the Mental Health Royal Commission or Gonski school funding increases take place. It would be anticipated that the increased funding would be incorporated into long term funding arrangements.
Many of the key parts of the caring economy are funded jointly by federal and state governments. For example education, aged and disability care, and health care are all shared responsibilities. We will work with our federal Greens colleagues for fully funded public services to create much needed jobs and ensure no one is left behind through Victoria's economic recovery.
Join the call: Sign up to our campaign calling for Victoria to invest in the caring economy.