JOB SUPPORT IN THE NORTH
■ The Victorian government stands by the workers affected by the decision of car manufacturers to cease local operations.
To generate sustainable jobs, along with the federal government and Ford Australia, we established the $24.5 million Melbourne’s North Innovation and Investment Fund to support new investment.
We have just announced the first grants from these funds. Recipients include innovative local companies such as New Age Caravans, enabling it to establish an advanced robotic manufacturing centre. This project will create 65 jobs in Epping. The first round of grants will create hundreds of jobs in the northern suburbs.
The Victorian government will contribute $12 million to the Commonwealth government’s
$100 million fund for local workers. This fund will support regions where manufacturing is under pressure.
The Workers in Transition program helps workers take up subsidised training and gain the extra skills needed to obtain new employment. So far, the first tranche of 300 Ford workers facing redundancy have received such assistance. CentreLink is providing financial advice and we are organising job fairs, including at Campbellfield, to match automotive workers with employers. The government will continue to support automotive workers in the northern suburbs.
DAVID HODGETT, MINISTER FOR MANUFACTURING
CRACKDOWN ON BREEDERS
■ The Victorian government has delivered the toughest restrictions on the breeding of dogs and cats in the world. Victorian dog and cat breeding establishments must now comply with a strict new mandatory code of practice, which came into effect on April 11.
The new code has more than 100 individual requirements for breeding establishments, including compulsory veterinary checks, health plans, exercise and social enrichment requirements, and retirement plans post-breeding for dogs and cats. Previously there were no maximum breeding limits. Now, female dogs have a five-litter limit and only a registered, qualified vet can clear that animal for a subsequent litter. The government has also increased penalties for unregistered and non-compliant breeders: fines up to $35,512 for individuals and up to $86,616 for businesses, and 10-year bans on owning or working with animals.
PETER WALSH, AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY MINISTER
