Thursday, 14 August 2025

Ministers statements: working from home

Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Minister for Finance) (14:17): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s bold plan to enshrine Victorians’ right to work from home and the benefits it will have on our economy. Working from home works for families and it is good for productivity. Flexible working arrangements are utilised by workers and businesses alike, with more than a third of Australian workers regularly working from home. It cuts congestion, it saves money and it gets more people working. Those who are parents, have caring responsibilities or have disabilities are able to enter the workforce in a way that works for them and their families.

When it comes to the economy, it comes down to the three ‘p’s – population, participation and productivity – and this policy goes to the heart of our growing economy. In Victoria our population is growing. Thanks to work from home, workforce participation is 4.4 per cent higher now than before the pandemic, with female workforce participation at a historic high, and that means a larger and more productive workforce and a growing economy.

And work from home is good for business. It helps Victorian businesses attract top talent. There is a startup right here in Victoria called WORK180. Employers are competing for talent and, for most, flexibility is a key priority. WORK180 helps workers easily search and compare thousands of employers based on the workplace policies and the benefits that matter most to them. They have put out a great report this year called What Women Want 2025, and it shows exactly why we are doing this. For respondents the biggest priority for the last two years was a right to work from home.

I encourage all workers and businesses, big or small, to take part in the consultation currently underway. It is with their input that we will be able to introduce legislation that works for businesses and employees, and we want to ensure that our laws are fair and reflect the practical experience of people working from home.