Mike stand delivers message By AIDAN KNIGHT   LAST Thursday (November 13), a tent was pitched outside the office of Housing Minister Harriet Shing’s office on Commercial Road, Morwell. The man behind the move says he did so to take a stand against pervasive discrimination and neglect faced by homeless Australians. Identifying himself as Mike, the protester has been homeless for three years, after the dual blows of the pandemic and a serious back injury left him unable to secure stable accommodation or employment. “I’ve been trying to get into private rentals, but as a single male, it’s nearly impossible,” Mike told the Express during his demonstration. “It’s the same all over Australia. I used to travel for work, but once you’re out, it’s just harder and harder to get back in.” Mike described a recent incident in Lakes Entrance, where, despite having been offered motel accommodation through housing support, was turned away. “The people that supervised the motel (sic) … just took one look at me and my trolley … and you know what they said to the owner? Send him a message and say he looks scary. I don’t want him to stay at this motel. That’s discrimination,” he said. The tent protest at the Minister’s office is both a plea for help and a call for action. Not moving: Mike makes his friendly and approachable presence known outside the Minister’s office. Photographs: Aidan Knight “We are the richest country in the southern hemisphere, and we can’t even give people priority accommodation or open up land for basic amenities,” he said. “During COVID, the government provided temporary housing solutions, so why can’t we do something now?” Mike’s experience reflects stories increasingly familiar to local advocates and welfare providers. He spoke of his own solutions he would offer the Minister should she decide to speak with him as to why he was parked outside her front door, referencing ‘dongas’, prefabricated, transportable, temporary housing units often used by miners and remote area construction companies. Mike plans to stay where he is as long as it takes to get answers, and after spending nearly a full business day outside the Minister’s office on Thursday, was not approached by any staff. “I’m happy to disrupt their business,” he said, “they have an ABN, so that’s what they are.” Having nowhere else to be, Mike sees it as no inconvenience to remain on the street of Commercial Rd until officials respond. The Minister’s office was also approached by the Express for comment, but did not provide one before print. The Latrobe Valley, like much of Australia, continues to feel the pressure of rising housing instability. Member for Morwell Martin Cameron joined in on the criticism of the Labor Government’s housing “failures”, taking to online platforms to highlight Mike’s protest as a “very sad and damning indictment”. “People shouldn’t have to camp outside the Minister for Housing’s office just to get noticed, but that’s how dire the situation is,” he said in his post. Mental health and isolation only deepen this crisis. “If you become homeless and you don’t have a mental health [issue], give yourself a month, you’ll have one,” Mike said. “They’re creating more issues than they’re solving.”

LV Express: Mike stand delivers message #News #HarrietShing #Homelessness

Results show Victorians want to work from home By AIDAN KNIGHT   VICTORIANS across the state have expressed an overwhelming want for their right to work from home to be protected within state government legislation. A survey opened by the state government in August, which ran for close to seven weeks, asked residents to share their views on plans to make working from home a legal right next year. Under the proposal, any employee who can reasonably perform their role from home would have the right to do so for at least two days a week, regardless of whether they work in the public or private sector. Premier Jacinta Allan said the consultation aimed to make sure the rules were “fair, practical, and reflective of real-world experience.” “One of the reasons work from home is at risk is because there are no rules and workers don’t know where they stand,” she said. “If you can do your job from home, we are making it your right – because we’re on your side.” The consultation would not revisit whether working from home should be a right. The government says that is already decided – but will instead focus on matters such as which types and sizes of businesses will be covered, how “remote work” will be defined, and who will be eligible. Ms Allan and Acting Minister for Industrial Relations, Harriet Shing last Thursday released an initial snapshot of the government’s biggest-ever workplace survey, which attracted 36,770 responses. The survey found more than 74 per cent of employees said the right to work from home was “extremely important” to them, while 88 per cent said the ability to do so would make them more likely to stay in a job longer. Ms Allan said the results made it clear that Victorians want work from home protected. “The biggest-ever Victorian government survey says work from home works for families and it’s good for the economy,” she said. “Of those who could work from home but currently don’t, most had requested it – and most were refused. That’s exactly why we’re protecting work from home.” Key findings from the survey included: * More than 28,700 participants said they were more productive when working from home; * 13,324 respondents said their one-way commute takes more than an hour, while more than 9200 said travel costs them $25–$49 each week; * Two days a week was the most common remote work arrangement, reported by 10,207 respondents, and; * Of those who had asked to work from home but were refused, 97 per cent believed the response was unreasonable, with three-quarters saying it led to further workplace challenges. The consultation will now move into the next stage, with industry forums and further engagement with businesses and unions underway. Ms Shing said the overwhelming response would help shape legislation expected to be introduced to Parliament next year. “A record number of Victorians have told us how they feel about working from home – and we’re listening,” she said. “We’ll use this data and consultation with industry to help us shape laws that are fair and practical for everyone.”

LV Express: Results show Victorians want to work from home #News #HarrietShing #JacintaAllen

New kinder soon for Traralgon By KATRINA BRANDON KOSCIUSZKO Street is soon to welcome a new kindergarten. Groundbreaking on the Kosciuszko Street Primary School – Traralgon Kindergarten started recently, with Minister for Housing, Harriet Shing, coming to celebrate the new establishment on September 12. Ms Shing highlighted the importance and need for the new build. According to Latrobe City Council, the new kindergarten, set to open in term 1, 2026, will have two rooms for up to 66 students. “There is a huge demand across Latrobe City for extra kindergarten places and for facilities,” Ms Shing told the Express. “The council is managing about 26 kinders across the LGA. We want to make sure also that when we plan and design and we deliver new kinders, we’re doing so in a way that meets that growth. “We’re also determined to make sure that provides support to people, but building the new kinders is also a really important part of this work, and that’s exactly what this project is about.” Situated down the road from Lavalla Secondary College and the Kosciuszko Street Primary School, Ms Shing said that the proximity of the kindergarten will help kindergarteners adjust to primary school more easily. Education: Latrobe City Council CEO Steven Piasente and Minister for Housing Harriet Shing took a stroll around what is going to be the next kindergarten in Traralgon. Photographs: Katrina Brandon According to Ms Shing, the build is set to be ready for term one of next year. “A kinder next to a primary school is really important,” she said. “Not only does it help the Kinder kids to adjust to primary school once they finish in the Kinder environment, but it also reduces the amount of pick up and drop drop off time for families, and then when that’s located close to sporting facilities, we’re just over the road from the stadium that we build here, and across the road again from a secondary school environment really close to the rest of the education precinct. “We know that makes a huge difference, not only in enabling kids to connect to the school community and to stay connected to education, but also in terms of convenience.” Also excited about the new early opportunity was Latrobe City Mayor Dale Harriman. “Latrobe City Council is proud to operate a new purpose-built kindergarten at Kosciuszko Street Primary School, opening in Term 1, 2026. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our community, giving children the very best start to their learning journey,” Mayor Harriman said. “Research tells us that kindergartens located on school sites create smoother transitions and stronger outcomes for children. This new service at Kosciuszko is a real win for families and the future of education in Latrobe City.” “This is more than just a new kindergarten – it’s an investment in continuity, connection, and community. Latrobe City Council is delighted to see children begin their education journey in a space designed to set them up for success.” The Kosciuszko Street Primary School – Traralgon Kindergarten is one of many kindergartens being built around the state, and the local Traralgon build is one of four in the construction stage.  

LV Express: New kinder soon for Traralgon #News #DaleHarriman #HarrietShing

Shing to speak at local housing forum STAFF WRITERS   MEMBER for Eastern Victoria Region and Minister for Housing, Harriet Shing will speak at a housing forum in Churchill. The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is heading to Federation University, Churchill, hosting ‘Regions Rising’, an event bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, and community voices to explore bold reforms and place-based strategies surrounding secure housing. The RAI says housing in regional Australia is at a tipping point. With the federal government’s ambitious target of 1.2 million new homes by 2030, the pressure is on to deliver solutions that work, and this forum will spotlight the urgent need for regional housing reform and showcase innovative approaches to ensure every Australian has access to safe, secure and appropriate housing. “We’re thrilled to welcome The Hon. Harriet Shing, Victoria’s Minister for Housing, to share insights on the Big Housing Build and how the state is responding to the unique challenges of regional housing,” RAI said. Ms Shing was hopeful the forum would help generated some robust discussions, leading to positive outcomes. “Events like Regions Rising are about more than just ideas – they’re about putting regional leadership and collaboration at the centre of Victoria’s future, prosperity and opportunity,” she said. “All over Australia we know that regional communities are facing a range of challenges in the supply and affordability of housing, which is why we’re delivering $2.25 billion in dedicated funding for rural and regional social and affordable housing.” she said. “Everyone should have a safe and secure home which is why we’ve introduced increased rental protections and support for homebuyers with stamp duty concessions, first homebuyers grants and government top-up for the deposits people need to buy their own home. “We’re working to deliver the homes and services regional communities need to grow and thrive.” The Morwell MP will be joined by former Latrobe City Mayor, Kellie O’Callaghan as a guest speaker. The forum will be held Friday, August 22 from 9.30am to 3.50pm. Tickets are $150, and can be purchased via: www.regionalaustralia.org.au, and clicking the ‘events and impact’ tab.

LV Express: Shing to speak at local housing forum #News #Churchill #HarrietShing

Helping renters during housing crisis By KATRINA BRANDON   THE state government has launched a program to help Aboriginal Victorians struggling to find or keep rentals, and to allow more people to access stable and secure housing. Minister for Housing and Building, Harriet Shing announced a more than $17 million investment to help Aboriginal renters at the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Forum in Melbourne. The Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program was co-designed by Homes Victoria and Aboriginal housing organisations to provide rental subsidies, bond support, and targeted programs for tenants. The program began in 2020 and has helped house more than 2000 Aboriginal families, including Latrobe Valley locals Karen and Peter Ouslinis. “We rented a house in Trafalgar and had been there for about seven years. The landlord got cancer and he was dying, so he had to sell the house. We had to find another place,” Mr Ouslinis told the Express. Having to look for another rental, Mr and Ms Ouslinis were referred to the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA), which helped find housing for the family. Unfortunately, the rental property that the Ouslinis occupied was to be subdivided, so they had to move again. “The real estate agent didn’t tell us that he (the owner) was going to subdivide the house, and there was no use staying there. So they (VACCA) helped us get another house, which was this one. VACCA came in, helped us move into a home, and paid the rent, the truck removal, and other things, which was very good,” Mr Ouslinis said. “We had to wait a year. We had to wait till the lease ran out there. Then they had funding again; if it weren’t for that, none of this would have been possible if we weren’t in that program. It would have been hard for us to sort of get another place because of the rental crisis.” Alongside the housing issues, Mr and Ms Ouslinis received ongoing VACCA support, and were incredibly grateful for their efforts to help them. “We had visits with one of the ladies there, Amanda, she came around the house maybe once every month, or something like that, to see how things are going and if we need anything,” Peter said. “It’s ongoing support. It’s not like, see you later, we helped you. We keep in contact every now and then. We’re still under the program. If anything happens here, they can still help.” In addition to housing support, the Ouslinis have also been included in other VACCA programs and courses. Ms Shing said the state government had a raft of programs in place to help people. “We’re continuing our partnerships with First Nations organisations to design and deliver housing programs that are culturally safe, effective, and tailored to the needs of the people they serve,” she said. “We know that these initiatives make a real difference – since launching our rental assistance program, the majority of applicants have been able to find or stay in their private rental.” Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Natalie Hutchins added: “We see the best outcomes when Aboriginal communities design and lead solutions – that’s exactly what this rental assistance program does, so that more First Nations families can find and secure long-term housing”.

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Traralgon parking pressure to ease By KATRINA BRANDON   TRARALGON, Moe and Morwell are on the way to receiving more car parking spaces as regional demand grows. Latrobe City Mayor Dale Harriman, Deputy Mayor Sharon Gibson, and Councillor Joanne Campbell were accompanied by Morwell MP…

LV Express: Traralgon parking pressure to ease: By KATRINA BRANDON


 


TRARALGON, Moe and Morwell are on the way to receiving more car parking spaces as regional demand grows.


Latrobe City Mayor Dale Harriman, Deputy Mayor Sharon Gibson, and Councillor Joanne… #News #DaleHarriman #HarrietShing