Pledges on car registrations, Shepparton bypass in Victorian election campaign

Victorian Labor pledges to make car registration free for apprentices if they need their car for work, if the Andrews government is re-elected.

Eligible apprentices including bricklayers, carpenters, electricians and plumbers will be entitled to free registration for cars if they use it for work.

Labor has pledged to make car registration for apprentices if it wins this month’s election.Credit: Erin Jonasson

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday announced the new policy, which is expected to cost around $9.7 million.

“Apprenticeships and apprentices are the lifeblood of Labor’s big build,” Andrews told reporters in Geelong.

“So we’re going to take better care of them. And we’re going to do some practical things to support them as they learn, as they get the skills they need for the job they want.”

Current apprentices who need their car for work are currently entitled to a 50 per cent discount on car registration, but Labor wants to make it entirely free.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy.Credit: Eddie Jim, Jason South

Labor has also pledged that if re-elected on November 26, it will also establish an “apprenticeships taskforce” to look at regulatory arrangements, simplify processes for making complaints, improve employer accountability and establish a system where employers who mistreat apprentices are prevented from hiring other young workers.

Andrews’ announcement on Tuesday came as the Coalition announced a new freeway bypass would be built around Shepparton if they won the election.

The Coalition has pledged $260 million to fund stage one of the project, but more federal funding would be needed to complete it.

The bypass would create a second crossing over the Goulburn River by connecting the Midland Highway in Mooroopna to streets north of Shepparton’s city centre.

Mooroopna locals rode to Shepparton to buy bread after the town was cut off by the floods last month.Credit: Jason South

The only crossing between the two towns was inundated for days during last month’s floods, which Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said proved the community needed another route across the major river.

“The expanding community has been constrained by only having one river crossing and have been waiting patiently for a proper solution for decades,” Walsh said in a statement.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy also announced that a Coalition government would build five schools in Melbourne’s west if elected.

Three would be primary schools at Williams Landing, Tarneit and Weir Views, plus a new secondary college at Wyndham Vale and a prep-12 school at Point Cook South.

“With so many families moving into Melbourne’s west, this is a necessary and important commitment that needs to be done urgently,” Guy said on Tuesday.

As part of the $190 million commitment, the Coalition said it would also ensure that schools funded but not yet delivered by Labor across the western suburbs would be completed as a priority. These include new secondary schools in Werribee and Tarneit, to open from 2024.

Meanwhile, the Greens are pushing for a major shake-up to Victoria’s public transport fares.

Travel would be free for anyone under 21, $1 a day for concession cardholders and capped at $3 a day for other adults.

Victorian Greens transport spokesperson Sam Hibbins said the plan would help address cost-of-living pressures and bring down emissions.

The Coalition previously pledged to make all fares across the network $2 a day, while Labor would cap the price of a full fare at $9.60, bringing fares across regional areas into line with metro prices.

Online enrolments to vote in the state election close at 8pm on Tuesday for Australian citizens who have turned 18 or changed their address.

Paper forms must be received before the deadline.

Victorian Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately urged voters to check their enrolment details to make sure their vote counts on November 26.

“Every vote matters and being correctly enrolled means it is easier to participate in Victorian democracy,” he said.

“You’ll be processed more quickly through the voting centre or if voting by post, your ballot pack will be sent to the right address.”

Health was a battleground before the official election campaign began last week but has fallen off the agenda as the major parties spruik cost of living, transport and housing policies.

With AAP

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