VCOSS

Regional Victoria needs a plan for a smart future

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Next year’s State Budget will be a battleground for families in regional Victoria, as the State Government looks to slash spending on services, warns a report from the Victorian Council of Social Service.

The report, Stronger People, Stronger State: Focus on rural and regional Victoria, calls for the Government to commit to strengthening the resilience of families and communities  in rural and regional Victoria and respond to the challenges of an ageing population.

‘The Coalition Government was elected 12 months ago on the strength of a series of promises – to look after families; to ease cost of living pressures; and to fix problems for people living in fast-growing cities and towns in rural and regional Victoria,’ said Cath Smith, VCOSS Chief Executive Officer.

‘This is how and why it got into office – it should also be its blueprint for the future.’

‘Services deliver help to families when it’s needed. That’s important, but it’s not the only reason they are essential – these services also create a stronger economy by creating stronger people.’

‘Victoria’s economic strength rests on the skills and wellbeing of our workers, unlike other states who can simply dig up their mineral resources and sell them overseas.

‘This means that investing in people not only makes families and communities stronger and more resilient, it is also an investment in a stronger future economy,’ said Ms Smith.

‘Some of the most disadvantaged areas of the state are in rural and regional Victoria,’ said John Lawrence, UnitingCare Gippsland Chief Executive Officer.

‘These are areas where people are already more likely to have poorer health, leave school earlier and earn less than their Melbourne counterparts and the recent natural disasters they’ve endured in recent times have only made things harder.’

’People living in rural and regional Victoria are often remarkably resilient, but they face additional pressures and suffer persistent inequalities when it comes to access to basic services. That needs to change,’ he said.

The report warns that failing to invest in services will not only send our economy backwards, it will also mean the Government will need to write a blank cheque in future budgets for prisons and hospital emergency beds.

Top five problems to fix

• Children and families
  Victoria needs a plan that focuses on supporting families in need before they become families in crisis. In particular there is a need for more services rural and regional Victoria.
• Early childhood development, education and skills
  Access to early education, like kindergarten, gives children the best possible start in life. Currently, too many vulnerable children are missing out.
• Transport
  Growth areas in regional Victoria are expanding rapidly and their booming populations need better public transport services.
• Youth services
  Youth services keep young people on a positive path. But there are no services in many places – particularly in rural and regional areas.
• Emergencies: Preparation and recovery
  Communities that have been affected by disasters need ongoing services and support during and after times of crisis.

 The report is available online.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with Cath Smith contact John Kelly – M: 0418 127 153

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VCOSS
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