Category: economic development
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The Victorian economy is experiencing a mixed economic landscape, highlighted by an annual Real State Final Demand growth of 3.5% for the March 2026 quarter. But the Victorian economy faces many structural constraints and headwind risks that need addressing. Over a quarter of all Victorian workers (28.5%) find employment within public-predominant sectors, emphasising the state’s…
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Granting disproportionate airtime to Pauline Hanson and One Nation does not advance policy debate. Still, her recent commentary prompted me to ask a fundamental question: how would such a policy actually be implemented? Stripping away the inflammatory rhetoric and emotional reactions reveals a complex mechanism that demands a factual, detailed examination. Regardless of how extremist…
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The government should act to: Victoria produces around one-quarter of Australia’s total plantation-grown wood. Victoria holds the largest export volume in the country, shipping around 5.3 million m³ of wood products per year. The sector supports over 25,000 jobs (direct and downstream), the largest forestry workforce in Australia, Although Victoria leads the nation in hardwood…
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Victoria is the second largest agricultural producer (behind NSW) and has the largest agricultural workforce. Agriculture contributes 2% of Gross State Product. 60% of Australia’s milk comes from Victoria, and 73% of dairy exports. Victoria is Australia’s leading food and fibre exporter, accounting for 27% of the national total. Victoria contributes 45% of national horticultural…
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Victoria’s state debt is the largest in Australia and is projected to reach around 25% of Gross State Product this year. Interest payments alone are expected to rise to 9% of the state budget by 2028. Borrowing to fund infrastructure is both normal and necessary. Before the “Big Build”, Victoria had underinvested in infrastructure following…
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The Silver Review recommended the abolition of a host of agencies; however, some economic advisory agencies were spared. Given that the primary mechanism of regulatory efficiency was scrapping and amalgamating a host of regulatory agencies, retaining the BRV “portfolio overview” of the regulatory function seems contradictory. Economic Growth Victoria joins the BRV under the “Commissioner…
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The Brunswick Music Festival kicks off with the Sydney Road Street Party in March each year. However, it is getting harder for Sydney Road traders and community groups to be genuinely part of what should be a truly local event. The street party has failed if there are simply lots of outside stalls and vendors.…
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Sydney Road is the beating heart of Brunswick and Coburg. More should be done for this, and other important local shopping strips. Strip shopping differentiates Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs. Melbourne’s “high streets” are an important cultural, social and economic feature of our city and need ongoing care and attention. See my posts on Sydney…
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Merri-bek’s Shopping Strip Renewal Policy ends in 2025. It is critically important that this be renewed and refreshed as a first priority in the next council term. Merri-bek needs greater focus and attention on local economic development to: Merri-bek has important cultural and historic commercial districts that should be maintained and strengthened. New business and…
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Olivia contacted me by email with the following concerns and here are my responses. Accessible transport along Sydney Rd, especially for when works along the Upfield Line commence See my pledge to support the Sydney Road Accesible Tram stops. With the Skyrail project likely abandoned, the need to make Sydney Road more accessible likely reduces.…
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Council Watch are a self-proclaimed public interest group and have open candidate questions for NSW and Victoria. Their main interest seems to be council rate caps. https://www.councilwatch.com.au/ I thank this group in seeking to collect and communicate on topics of interest to the community. Here are my answers to their questions:
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The pandemic has impacted us all in ways we can’t imagine. We’ve been protected too, from what is soon to come. My #1 priority for the next term of Council is responding to these realities. A COVID recovery plan for small business Rate and fee relief Fast track business permits Support for local businesses in…
Mel Yuan for Brunswick 