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| Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions | |
|---|---|
| Name | Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions |
| Type | Department |
| Formed | 2015 |
| Jurisdiction | Victoria, Australia |
| Headquarters | Melbourne |
| Minister | Minister for Jobs, Precincts and Regions |
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions was an Australian administrative body in Victoria responsible for industrial strategy, regional development, and precinct planning, created in 2015 during a cabinet reshuffle and later reconfigured in subsequent administrations. It operated across metropolitan and rural areas, interfacing with agencies and authorities such as the VicHealth, Transport Accident Commission, Victorian Planning Authority, Parks Victoria, and Regional Development Victoria while engaging with industry stakeholders including BHP, Rio Tinto, ANZ (banking group), Commonwealth Bank and peak bodies like the Australian Industry Group, Business Council of Australia, Victorian Trades Hall Council, Confederation of Australian Industry and Tourism Australia.
The department was formed under the government led by Daniel Andrews following the 2014 Victorian state election and drew functions from predecessors including the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria), Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, and agencies such as WorkSafe Victoria and Skills Victoria. Early milestones included collaboration on projects with the Victorian Planning Authority, responses to events like the Black Saturday bushfires recovery programs, and coordination with infrastructure projects such as the Melbourne Metro Rail Project and the West Gate Tunnel Project. It engaged with federal counterparts including the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (Australia) and trade missions involving the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in markets like China, Japan, United States, India and South Korea.
The department's remit encompassed regional economic development, employment policy, small business support, skills and training coordination with TAFE NSW analogues, precinct and urban renewal alongside entities such as VicRoads, and regulatory oversight related to workplace safety interfacing with Safe Work Australia and Australian Building and Construction Commission. It worked with research and tertiary institutions including University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, La Trobe University and Deakin University to align workforce programs and innovation precincts, collaborated with cultural bodies like the National Gallery of Victoria and Melbourne Museum for creative industry precincts, and partnered with local government associations such as the Municipal Association of Victoria and councils across regions like the Gippsland, Loddon Mallee, Hume (Victoria), Barwon South West and Grampians (region).
The department comprised branches and divisions focused on regional development, industry development, precincts and planning, small business, and employment services, liaising with statutory authorities including the Victorian Building Authority, Essential Services Commission (Victoria), Victorian Environmental Protection Authority and the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. Senior executives coordinated with ministers including the Premier of Victoria and portfolio ministers for planning, jobs and regional development, while strategic advisory boards included representatives from organisations like the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Infrastructure Australia, CSIRO, ExxonMobil, Shell Australia and unions such as the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union.
Notable initiatives included regional investment programs targeting industries such as agriculture linked to Department of Agriculture (Australia), advanced manufacturing partnerships with firms including Siemens and Bosch, precinct activation projects in collaboration with Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, innovation precincts tied to universities and research institutes like the Howard Florey Institute and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, and workforce skilling programs aligned with national awards frameworks including the Australian Qualifications Framework. The department administered grants, coordinated with tourism promotion agencies including Visit Victoria and supported events such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, and major sporting events like the Australian Open and Formula One Australian Grand Prix.
Funding streams combined state budget allocations approved by the Treasury of Victoria and program-specific co-investments with the Commonwealth of Australia, private sector partners including Macquarie Group and philanthropic foundations such as the Myer Family Company Foundation and Ian Potter Foundation, and leveraged financing through institutions like the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for green precinct projects. Budgetary oversight involved parliamentary bodies including the Victorian Parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee and auditing by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office.
Ministerial oversight was provided by portfolio ministers appointed by the Premier of Victoria, with ministers liaising with federal counterparts such as the Minister for Employment (Australia), and featuring senior public servants drawn from the Victorian public service, linked to leader networks including the Australian Institute of Company Directors and unions such as the Australian Workers' Union. Leadership changes reflected cabinet reshuffles during administrations like those of Daniel Andrews and earlier premiers, and the department engaged regularly with federal-state forums including the Council of Australian Governments.
The department attracted scrutiny over project approvals and procurement, drawing attention from oversight bodies such as the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and media outlets including the Age (newspaper), Herald Sun, and national broadcasters like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and SBS (Australian broadcaster), with debates involving stakeholders like the Property Council of Australia and environmental groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation and Environment Victoria. Controversies included debates over large infrastructure projects such as the East West Link (proposed) and environmental assessments tied to approvals coordinated with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 processes and federal agencies like the Department of the Environment and Energy (Australia).
Category:Government agencies of Victoria (state)