Working from home
Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (09:42): Working from home works; it works for families, and it is good for the economy. Thirty-five per cent of Victorians already work from home, and that includes many of my constituents in the seat of Macedon. Whether they are from Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Romsey or Daylesford, work from home is giving working families more time with their loved ones and less time on the train or in traffic. When we give workers back their time to be parents, to be carers and to be volunteers – just to live – we create a fairer Victoria for everyone. It is not just good for workers themselves; it brings life to our towns, with more workers shopping local and visiting our amazing cafes in places like Kyneton, in Trentham and in Woodend. Now, we know that not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit. We know that more people working from home means less cars on the Calder Freeway and less commuters on the V/Line. The message from the Allan Labor government to my constituents in Macedon is clear: the Allan Labor government will make working from home a right, not a request. That is why we will work to enshrine it in law. If you can reasonably do your job from home, you will have the right to do so for at least two days a week, because our Labor government is on your side.