Wednesday, 13 August 2025

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:44): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is supporting projects that create more affordable housing and accommodation so employers can attract and retain workers in country areas. The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is providing new housing and accommodation for regional communities where workers in key industries and their families are struggling to find suitable housing. More than 20 projects were funded through round 1 – thank you to the previous minister Ms Tierney – delivering around 1000 key worker bedrooms and almost $250 million in new investment in housing accommodation.

Last week I had the privilege of announcing a further 23 recipients, which unlocks more than $120 million in further investment in new worker housing, delivering around 750 bedrooms for workers. I was in Wangaratta, and I was on a former school site where Nestd Development are transforming the site into a healthcare worker accommodation hub. This will really go a long way towards helping Northeast Health attract more staff. The hub will feature 34 dwellings capable of housing more than 100 workers.

I also visited Mansfield last week, and I met Callum at Alzburg Resort. His family have been running the accommodation and ski hire business for decades and have spoken of the challenges in finding suitable accommodation for their workers. They received funding to support the construction of two units suitable for up to 12 workers. In Noorat, the old butter factory will be redeveloped into 13 new dwellings to support agricultural industry workers. Riviera Fresh in Lindenow – I think that is near Mr McIntosh – will construct accommodation for 18 workers. On Phillip Island, Moda will deliver accommodation for more than 100 workers, supporting the healthcare, food, beverage, retail and tourism industries. On this side of the house we will continue to back programs like the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, which ensure rural and regional communities have the skills, workforce and infrastructure they need so they can to continue to thrive.