Macedon electorate
Ms THOMAS (Macedon) (14:47): (5350) My constituency question is for the Minister for Employment in the other place. Minister, how will the $150 million in wage subsidy support announced in this year’s budget help women in my electorate return to work? The Andrews Labor government’s Jobs for Victoria investment is huge. The $619 million funding boost will help people impacted by the pandemic get back to work. The budget announcement includes $250 million to partner with employers to help cover the wages of at least 10 000 new workers, and of this amount at least $150 million will go towards employing women. We know that the pandemic has directly impacted women and their work. Many of those industries hardest hit this year, such as hospitality, tourism and retail, are female dominated. I have heard from women across my electorate about how the pandemic has impacted them and their work through the virtual cuppas and phone calls that I have undertaken during the pandemic. Minister, I look forward to a response on the way in which this subsidy will help women in my electorate.