Thursday, 4 October 2018

The Andrews Labor Government’s multi-billion-dollar program of major infrastructure projects is creating thousands of local jobs and apprenticeships across the state by ensuring Victorians get their fair share of work.

Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll today visited the Wonthaggi Hospital to announce the $115 million expansion is the 100^th Local Jobs First Strategic Project.

The Labor Government has set minimum local content requirements on 100 strategic projects – totalling $58 billion creating tens-of-thousands of jobs – compared to just eight strategic projects set under the Liberals.

The crucial expansion of Wonthaggi Hospital will be delivered under Local Jobs First using 90 per cent local content and requiring 10 per cent of work hours to be completed by local apprentices, trainees and cadets.

The expansion will increase the hospital’s capacity to treat an extra 26,000 emergency patients per year, deliver a new operating theatre, refurbish two existing theatres and inpatient rooms to meet the community’s needs.

In August this year the Labor Government made Local Jobs First the law – making sure Victorian businesses, workers, apprentices, trainees and cadets continue to benefit from major government projects well into the future.

All Victorian government departments and agencies must apply Local Jobs First for contracts valued at $1 million or more in regional Victoria, or $3 million or more in metropolitan Melbourne.

Local businesses interested in supplying to Local Jobs First projects, like the Wonthaggi Hospital, can register with the Industry Capability Network Victoria at icnvic.org.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll 

“We’re making sure all Victorians benefit from our massive pipeline of infrastructure projects which is creating tens-of-thousands of jobs and boosting our economy by tens-of-billions of dollars.”

“We’ve made Local Jobs First the law so that local content, apprentice, trainee and cadet requirements continue to create local jobs and support local businesses well into the future.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We’re not only delivering the first-class hospital Wonthaggi needs – we’re also making sure local businesses and workers get their foot in the door to benefit from this $115 million expansion.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Only a Labor Government will deliver for Wonthaggi and the Bass Coast. This much needed upgrade of the Wonthaggi Hospital will not only save lives – but it will give apprentices and trainees a good start to their career.”