Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Youth Jobs are Missing in ActionAustralian Bureau of Statistics March regional jobs figures highlight the lack of attention the Andrews Labor government is showing Latrobe Valley’s youth. By Portal Admin - 25th April 2017 - Back to News Latrobe-Gippsland’s youth unemployment rate was at an alarming 14.6 per cent at the end of March 2017, compared to a state average of 9.9 per cent.
Since Daniel Andrews was elected in December 2014, thousands of young people have been left without work. There are 3,768 fewer young people employed full-time and 2,523 fewer in part-time work.
Member for Eastern Victorian Region and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Country Schools, Melina Bath, said the Andrews Labor Government was missing in action for more than 6,000 young people in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley.
"A young person looking at our local jobs market at the moment would be hugely disheartened – Gippsland has lost hundreds of jobs at Hazelwood Power Station and there will be 260 further jobs lost later this year at the Heyfield mill," Ms Bath said.
"Without doubt, one of the negative consequences of the Hazelwood closure will be that local contractors will not have the work to employ new apprentices and I fear this will only get worse in the months to come".
"These businesses are just some of our regions’ most significant employers and without them it means our young people will find it harder and harder to find work locally".
Member for Morwell, Russell Northe, was equally frustrated. "Daniel Andrews could have stopped the closure of Hazelwood but refused to and he is now refusing to guarantee the timber supply needed to keep the Heyfield mill operating."
"The only job Daniel Andrews is working to keep, is his own."
Media Contact: Carolynne Rankcom (03) 5174 7066
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
Related Articles- East Gippsland Jobs Expo connects job seekers with employers, training providers and career opportunities across the region on 8 October 2026
East Gippsland Jobs Expo on October 8 will connect job seekers with employers, training providers and employment services, showcasing local career pathways and workforce opportunities across the region. - Latrobe City Council pushes for jobs, investment, housing and community safety during Victorian Parliament delegation
Latrobe City Council has urged Victorian leaders to back jobs, housing, investment, community safety, energy transition projects and infrastructure to strengthen long-term regional economic growth. - Tourism industry warns visa delays threaten jobs and revenue ahead of Australia's critical Christmas holiday season this year
Australia's tourism sector warns visa delays, rising living costs and fuel prices could put $3 billion revenue and 20,000 jobs at risk this Christmas, urging government action. - Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra. - Darren Chester met Latrobe Health Assembly representatives to discuss tackling youth food insecurity, poor nutrition and regional health priorities
Gippsland MP Darren Chester is exploring funding for a Latrobe Valley initiative involving local health and education organisations to provide free healthy meals twice weekly, addressing student hunger, poor nutrition and wellbeing. - The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses. - Australia Post invests in Morwell parcel facility, boosting Latrobe City jobs, economic diversification and future growth opportunities
Australia Post has begun construction of a 10,000-square-metre parcel facility in Morwell, consolidating regional operations, supporting local jobs and strengthening Latrobe City’s economic diversification and investment opportunities. - Maffra student Jaxon Marshall champions resilient agriculture during National Youth Parliament visit to Canberra
Maffra student Jaxon Marshall represented Gippsland at National Youth Parliament, delivering a passionate speech advocating resilient agriculture, regenerative farming, research and stronger support for farmers and Australia’s future. - Nationals target Premier Ben Carroll over undelivered Latrobe Valley manufacturing jobs and broken election promises
The Nationals accused Premier Ben Carroll of failing to deliver 500 promised SEA Electric manufacturing jobs in Morwell, criticising Labor’s Latrobe Valley transition and economic record. - The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development. - Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain. - New Flight Test Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting advanced aviation jobs, investment and innovation
A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport has opened, supporting advanced aviation research, attracting investment, strengthening local businesses and creating new jobs across Gippsland. - Morwell’s Icon Industrial receives $1.9M to upgrade infrastructure, attract investment, create jobs and diversify the local economy
Morwell’s Icon Industrial development has received a $1.9 million grant for road, sewer, water and drainage upgrades, supporting investment, job creation and economic diversification as the region transitions from traditional industries. - Cann River Cafe creates local employment pathways through community training and youth opportunities
Cann River has opened Fern & Feather Cafe, a community-owned training initiative providing hospitality skills, employment pathways, youth opportunities and funding for local community programs. - Latrobe City Council welcomes enforcement action targeting illegal tobacco and vape trading to improve community safety and support local businesses
Latrobe City Council has welcomed enforcement action by Tobacco Licensing Victoria and Victoria Police’s Viper Taskforce against illegal tobacco and vape trading, supporting community safety, lawful businesses and safer town centres. - Paynesville Maritime Precinct officially opens following $13M investment to boost boating, tourism, jobs and local business growth
Paynesville’s $13 million Slip Road Maritime Precinct officially opened, delivering improved waterfront access, jetties and boating facilities to boost tourism, local businesses, jobs and Gippsland Lakes recreation. - Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment. - East Gippsland welcomes 27 new Australians from 13 countries at citizenship ceremony on Australian Citizenship Day
East Gippsland welcomed 27 new Australians from 13 countries at a citizenship ceremony in Lucknow, celebrating Australian Citizenship Day and the diversity new citizens bring to the community. - Darren Chester warns Sydney fire ant detection highlights biosecurity risks and urges swift action, surveillance and guaranteed eradication funding beyond 2027
Darren Chester has urged swift, coordinated action after red imported fire ants were detected in Sydney, warning of risks to agriculture and calling for stronger surveillance and guaranteed eradication funding beyond June 2027. - Live and Loud at GPAC brings AFL Grand Final action, family fun and entertainment to Traralgon on 26 September 2026
Latrobe City Council will host Live and Loud at GPAC on September 26, featuring family activities, entertainment, a ticketed musical-acrobat performance and free live screening of the 2026 AFL Grand Final. - Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing. - Latrobe Council urges Premier Carroll to fast-track investment, industry growth and secure future jobs in Valley
Latrobe City Council has urged newly appointed Premier Ben Carroll to meet urgently on economic diversification, investment and job creation as the region faces energy transition, manufacturing job losses and Yallourn 2028 closure. - Latrobe City Council ranks among Victoria's Top Five for Community Satisfaction in 2026 Snap Send Solve index
Latrobe City Council has ranked fifth in Victoria for community satisfaction, scoring 64.6 in the 2026 Snap Send Solve Index, exceeding both national and Victorian averages. - Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere. - Katie Noonan brings intimate 'Alone But All One' tour to Cowes for regional Australian audiences on 10 October 2026
Katie Noonan brings her intimate Alone But All One tour to Cowes’ Berninneit October 10, with interview opportunities September 23 and ticket giveaways available for audiences through Gippsland.com. - Latrobe Regional Gallery launches spring season with five exhibitions and live mural creation on 19 September 2026 In Morwell
Latrobe Regional Gallery will launch its Spring Season on Saturday, September 19, featuring five exhibitions and a live monumental mural by Japanese-Australian artist Twoone/Hiroyasu Tsuri during the Morwell event. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - Latrobe Regional Gallery unveils spring exhibitions celebrating place, culture, community, history and the natural world
Latrobe Regional Gallery spring program features five exhibitions exploring Gippsland places, community, culture, history and nature, alongside Japanese traditions and contemporary artistic responses. - Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care. - West Gippsland Landcare celebrates 40 Years of environmental action and community connection
More than 150 Landcare supporters celebrated 40 years of West Gippsland Landcare, reflecting on achievements, community connections and future opportunities for resilient landscapes and sustainable farming. - Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028. - Damian Callinan brings hall stories to Woodleigh for a night of rural Australian comedy on 9 October 2026
Comedian Damian Callinan brings his hit show Hall Stories to Woodleigh Hall, celebrating rural Australian halls, local characters and history, with a podcast documenting the hall's story afterwards. - Gippsland students impress Darren Chester with their understanding of Australian democracy and government
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester praised St Mary’s Primary School Maffra students for their strong understanding of Australian democracy, Parliament and government during a recent civics visit and discussion. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care. - Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria. - Melbourne Symphony Orchestra returns to Sale after 17 years, bringing acclaimed performances and Australian premieres to The Wedge on 28 October 2026
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will return to Sale on October 28, performing at The Wedge for the first time since 2009, featuring Mozart classics and a world-premiere Australian concerto. - Martin Cameron backs Regional road funding to fix dangerous, neglected Latrobe Valley roads and bridges
A proposed $288 million Country Roads and Bridges program would give Latrobe City $1.5 million annually for four years to repair and upgrade local roads and bridges. - Latrobe City Business Festival returns with free October events connecting businesses, employers, job seekers and industry partners
Latrobe City’s 2026 Business Festival runs October 14–23, offering free jobs expos, workshops, networking, professional development and business events connecting employers, workers, students and industry. - Become a Great Southern rail trail passport collection point with other updates from the South Gippsland Shire Council
South Gippsland Council seeks Rail Trail Passport collection points, announces a youth bravery award, Toora roadworks, grants, community events, transport updates, tenders, services and opportunities. - Darren Chester visits Aussie Broadband’s Traralgon office, highlighting reliable telecommunications for Gippsland’s regional communities and businesses
Darren Chester met Aussie Broadband executives in Traralgon to discuss improving regional mobile coverage, faster internet speeds, telecommunications resilience, and investment in local jobs and skills development. - Latrobe City Council will push six reforms addressing regional investment, housing, infrastructure, funding fairness and sustainability at MAV State Council
Latrobe City Council will take six reform proposals to the MAV State Council, targeting fairer funding, housing, planning, investment, infrastructure and support for regional communities.
|
|
