A fairer society that reduces disadvantage and respects diversity
Victoria today
Victoria performs relatively well in comparison to other States on indicators of disadvantage. The investment we have made in core services since 1999 - especially education, health and housing - has helped to reduce disadvantage. We have also tackled particular issues by developing responses to problem gambling, reforming the State Government concessions program to deliver more help to more people and establishing new programs to assist Indigenous people—like the Indigenous Community Capacity Building Fund and the Aboriginal Justice Agreement.Our diverse and welcoming community makes Victoria an attractive place for visitors and investors, as well as being a great place to live and work. We have increased funding to multicultural community organisations, implemented racial and religious tolerance legislation, and introduced legislative reforms to recognise the rights of same-sex couples.
Challenges ahead
There are still significant barriers to opportunity. We need to strengthen the opportunities and expectations of all Victorians for an equal chance in life. Victoria still has unacceptably high levels of poverty, with increasing numbers of young families and working people experiencing financial hardship. Homelessness, housing affordability and shortage of adequate rental properties continue to be significant problems. Opportunities in education, health and housing are not currently distributed evenly throughout the community - and for children and young people lack of opportunity in any of these areas can have serious repercussions throughout life. The people missing out in Victoria tend to come from particular groups in our society, particularly Indigenous people, children from low-income families and disadvantaged communities, people not completing secondary school or its equivalent, and single parent families.
Measuring progress
Progress will be seen through improved outcomes for disadvantaged groups and communities in areas such as health, education and housing. For Indigenous Victorians, progress will be seen in improved health and education outcomes. We will also measure the outcomes of our criminal justice system, since offenders are typically from disadvantaged backgrounds. As more people come to value it, our diversity will become an even greater asset to the State.
- Disadvantage in health, education and housing among communities will be reduced
- The number of early school leavers who are unemployed after six months will decline
- The prison population will not grow as quickly and re-offending will be reduced
- The appreciation of diverse neighbourhoods and communities will increase
|
|