The Allan Labor Government is continuing to invest in services that make life easier for Victorian families – and the Victorian Budget 2024/25 ensures that these services are secure and deliver cost‑of‑living relief.

Following a successful regional pilot in Ballarat, the Digital Driver Licence will soon be available to all Victorians – giving people the option to carry their licence on their phone, making it easier to rent a car, collect a parcel or visit a licensed venue.

The Digital Driver Licence joins eight other cards in the Service Victoria digital wallet serving more than two million Victorians with digital identities on the platform.

Already, more than 150,000 Victorians have added their digital Working with Children Check card to the easy, private and secure Service Victoria wallet.

We’re also delivering better connectivity, fast‑tracking improvements to our state’s digital infrastructure, particularly in regional Victoria. The Connecting Victoria program – investing in mobile, broadband and wi‑fi infrastructure – is ahead of schedule, with 30 per cent of about 1,400 projects delivered and the rest by 2026.

As demand for digital services grows, so does the threat of cyber attacks. That’s why we invested $34.7 million in cyber security, including the creation of the Cyber Defence Centre (CDC), and now we are providing a further $10.8 million to support the CDC to continue its response to cyber incidents, improving data security for Victorians.

As part of our work to prioritise cyber security in an increasingly digital world, the Labor Government’s Free TAFE program now includes a Certificate IV in Cyber Security – giving students the opportunity to get critical hands‑on experience within the CDC in areas like threat detection and monitoring while they study at no cost.

We’ll continue to help families facing cost‑of‑living pressures, with the Savings Finder on the Service Victoria app supporting people to find the best prices on healthcare, energy and other household costs, alongside dedicated financial counselling for those who need it through Consumer Affairs Victoria.

We’re also providing $19.3 million for the Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency to continue ensuring the safe removal and disposal of asbestos in government‑owned buildings.

They’ll work closely with the national Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency to eliminate asbestos‑related diseases in Australia, as well as backing the Asbestos Council of Victoria – Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Inc. to stand with Victorian workers and families who are affected by asbestos‑related diseases.

This year, we’ve reformed our WorkCover scheme to provide Victorian workers and businesses with more security – but we know there’s more work we can do to prevent mental injuries, particularly in the public sector.

An investment of $2.1 million will better support government departments and agencies to prevent psychosocial hazards in the workplace and to progress strengthening of workplace health and safety regulations that create mentally healthier workplaces.

Our Rental Stress Support Package – a key initiative of the Labor Government’s Housing Statement – is supporting Victorians experiencing renting stress, investing $8 million to back community organisations who provide financial counselling, advocacy and legal assistance to renters.

Victim‑survivors of family violence shouldn’t have to worry about financial stress while they rebuild their lives. On top of our investment of $142 million to support them and hold perpetrators to account, we’ll invest an extra $6.8 million to continue the financial counselling services that have already supported more than 24,000 survivors.

Kinaway Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and Social Traders promotes and develops the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and social enterprises in Victoria – this Budget will deliver $400,000 to support their work.

Public libraries are about more than just books – they are community spaces that provide important services. Young families come for story time, students expand their learning and seniors find connection.

Since 2015, we’ve supported libraries across the state with more than $460 million in funding, and this Budget is again investing in local libraries, ensuring every Victorian has access to a great local library service.

Many communities faced another summer of storms, floods and bushfires – and the Labor Government is with them through every step of their recovery.

As part of our $302 million investment in disaster recovery, we’ve provided $8 million to the worst‑hit councils to support them as they repair and rebuild local infrastructure.

This is a Budget that invests in services that make life easier for Victorians – because this is a Budget that’s helping families.