The 2012-13 Budget announced $670 million for funding a new 500bed medium security men’s prision at Ravenhall and for a further 395 beds in expanded existing facilities. Upgrading and enhancing the courts As part of the Supporting Courts initiative, $48 million over the next four will ensure the courts are appropriately resourced to address demand for their services. This builds on the $437 million of base funding provided for administration of the State’s judicial system. The 2013-14 Budget also funds upgrades to court facilities and IT infrastructure. Improving access to justice The Coalition Government expects that all Victorians have appropriate access to justice and related support services, and the 2013-14 Budget funds an expansion of victim support services. The Victims Helpline operating hours will be extended to include weekends, and additional case managers will be allocated to the Victims Support System through investment of $16 million over four years. The Coalition Government will provide further support for Victoria Legal Aid with additional ongoing funding of approximately $3.4 million per year, to ensure those most in need of legal advice can access these services. This builds on existing state funding of $78 million a year provided to Victoria Legal Aid. The budget initiative funds additional case work and duty lawyer services. Attracting business and investment The Victorian economy is both diverse and flexible, with a highly skilled workforce and strong export performance. This makes it an attractive place for businesses to invest and create employment opportunities. Building employment opportunities Commitments in the 2013-14 Budget to construction of transport infrastructure will leverage significant private sector investment and generate many new job opportunities for Victorians. The $1.6 billion expansion of the Port of Melbourne is projected to created an estimated 3 000 jobs; $66 million allocated for a new transport interchange at Ringwood Station is helping to underpin a $500 million expansion of Eastland shopping centre, expected to generate 2 000 construction jobs and 2 000 ongoing retail jobs.
The 2012-13 Budget announced $670 million for funding a new 500bed medium security men’s prision at Ravenhall and for a further 395 beds in expanded existing facilities. Upgrading and enhancing the courts As part of the Supporting Courts initiative, $48 million over the next four will ensure the courts are appropriately resourced to address demand for their services. This builds on the $437 million of base funding provided for administration of the State’s judicial system. The 2013-14 Budget also funds upgrades to court facilities and IT infrastructure. Improving access to justice The Coalition Government expects that all Victorians have appropriate access to justice and related support services, and the 2013-14 Budget funds an expansion of victim support services. The Victims Helpline operating hours will be extended to include weekends, and additional case managers will be allocated to the Victims Support System through investment of $16 million over four years. The Coalition Government will provide further support for Victoria Legal Aid with additional ongoing funding of approximately $3.4 million per year, to ensure those most in need of legal advice can access these services. This builds on existing state funding of $78 million a year provided to Victoria Legal Aid. The budget initiative funds additional case work and duty lawyer services. Attracting business and investment The Victorian economy is both diverse and flexible, with a highly skilled workforce and strong export performance. This makes it an attractive place for businesses to invest and create employment opportunities. Building employment opportunities Commitments in the 2013-14 Budget to construction of transport infrastructure will leverage significant private sector investment and generate many new job opportunities for Victorians. The $1.6 billion expansion of the Port of Melbourne is projected to created an estimated 3 000 jobs; $66 million allocated for a new transport interchange at Ringwood Station is helping to underpin a $500 million expansion of Eastland shopping centre, expected to generate 2 000 construction jobs and 2 000 ongoing retail jobs.
state-budget-budget-overview-2013-14.docx