Victoria delivers a modest and steady budget.

MEDIA RELEASE

Victoria has delivered a modest budget which does just enough to keep critical programs ticking over, according to Victoria’s peak social advocacy body VCOSS.

The budget includes a series of welcome measures to provide temporary cost of living relief, such as $400 one-off payments to offset school costs ($280m) and $3.5m for food relief grants to community support organisations (including Neighbourhood Houses).

The budget preserves a raft of critical social programs, such as family violence, homelessness services, women’s health, disability advocacy, and energy assistance.

“These measures are welcome, although they don’t do much more than keep existing programs ticking over,” VCOSS CEO Juanita Pope says.

However, VCOSS is concerned the government will slow the rollout of Victoria’s Best Start, Best Life early childhood education reforms and the delivery of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals. These reforms are too important to let drift.

“We acknowledge the workforce constraints contributing to these delays, and believe Victoria needs a strategic, holistic and funded plan to solve these broader challenges.”

Additionally, Ms Pope applauded new funding to reform and improve the state’s household energy upgrades scheme ($5m) and support Victorian renters ($1.2m).

Victoria’s flagship Early Intervention Investment Framework (EIIF) has earmarked more than $1billion for a range of social interventions. VCOSS welcomes these investments and urges the government to continue to work with the social services sector to develop and implement innovative interventions.

• Read the full VCOSS budget analysis