The Labor Government’s local jobs policies tonight became law with the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (Local Jobs First) Amendment Bill passing State Parliament.
The bill, introduced by Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll, mandates minimum local content on major projects, including a 90 percent minimum on construction projects.
“We’re leading the nation with our local content laws – which ensures the products, like steel and concrete, used on our major projects are local and apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets do at least 10 per cent of the work. These laws are the strongest in the country – benefitting local businesses and local workers,” Carroll said.
It comes in response to the Premier’s Job Summit in 2017 and enshrines the government’s local jobs policies in law and establishes a Local Jobs First Commissioner, to advocate for businesses and workers, so they get a greater share of government projects.
The Commissioner will oversee compliance of local content, workforce commitments and requirements on government agencies to buy local uniforms and locally-manufactured personal protective equipment where possible.
