Labor
See how we've assessed them for all policy statements included in the Build a Ballot tool. Want to suggest a revision? Send us an email at tool@buildaballot.org.au
Policy
Evidence of support
Support level
Budget management
Give the anti-corruption commission more funding and powers
This policy would increase funding and extend the investigative powers of Victoriaâs Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), which investigates public-sector corruption and police misconduct. (Source) This policy would provide additional funding beyond the September 2026 reforms now allow IBAC to investigate serious misconduct beyond criminal offences and trace public money through private contractors and subcontractors. (Source) IBAC investigates serious corruption, including the misuse of public money, (Source) so giving it more funding is intended to help save public funds over time.
Labor passed the IBAC Amendment Bill 2026 in September 2026, giving IBAC follow-the-money powers and lowering the threshold for public hearings. (Source) In October 2026, they announced $139.5 million for IBAC, the Victorian Ombudsman and Integrity Oversight Victoria on top of the new powers. (Source)
Budget management
Significantly reduce the size of the public service
This policy would reduce the number of staff in Victoriaâs government departments and agencies, focusing on back-office roles, through a 10-year hiring freeze and natural attrition. (Source) It claims savings of about $2.2 billion a year on average, compared with about $1.25 billion a year estimated by the Silver Review, an independent review of Victoriaâs public service, which the government has partly committed to acting on. (Source)
Labor has committed to cutting 332 executive roles and 29 public entities and boards in response to the Silver review, saying âfrontline services will not be affectedâ. (Source) In August 2026, they announced a further 140 executive positions would be cut and a $70 million reduction in consultant spending, saying this âwonât impact the frontline services Victorians rely onâ. (Source) (Source) They have not committed to fully implementing the Silver review recommendations.
Budget management
Increase taxes on gambling, including pokies, online betting and casinos
This policy would require gambling businesses to pay more tax on revenue from online betting, poker machines and casino games in Victoria. These activities are taxed separately, so implementing the policy would involve changes to several tax rates. (Source) Current gambling tax revenue is forecast at $2.9 billion in 2026â27. (Source) This policy would also end the arrangement that directs half of Victoriaâs wagering and betting tax revenue to the racing industry, keeping that money in the state budget instead. (Source)
No announcements on raising gambling taxes. Laborâs 2026-27 budget forecasts $2.9 billion in gambling tax revenue, with no rate changes described. (Source)
Budget management
Scale back the Suburban Rail Loop
This policy would reduce the scope of Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), while continuing to build the underground rail line between Cheltenham and Box Hill. (Source) Underground connections to existing stations at Box Hill and Glen Waverley would be replaced by surface transfers, alongside cuts to pedestrian bridges, a second entrance at Clayton and some parking and precinct works. (Source) This policy is targeting $2 billion in total savings: approximately $1 billion from these changes and a further $1 billion to be identified through an independent technical review.
Labor has announced $2 billion in cuts on Suburban Rail Loop East, with about $1 billion from removing scope, including the underground interchanges at Box Hill and Glen Waverley, and a further $1 billion targeted through an independent review, with no new contracts until it reports. (Source) Premier Ben Carroll says the project âwill be built on timeâ, but without ânice-to-havesâ such as overpasses, walkways, car parks and community grants. (Source)
Housing
Build 80,000 new social housing dwellings over the next decade
This policy would build 80,000 new public and community homes in Victoria over ten years, (Source) with interim milestones to track progress, (Source) through steady direct investment in public housing and grants to community housing organisations. It aims to lift social housing from 3% of Victoriaâs housing stock, the lowest share of any state or territory, (Source) to the national average of 4.5%. (Source) Social housing includes both public housing (run by government) and community housing (run by not-for-profits). (Source) (Source)
No announcements on an 80,000 social homes target. Labor says its $6.3 billion Big Housing Build, which covers social and affordable housing and began in 2020, has 12,000 homes complete or underway. (Source) Their 2026-27 budget also invests $860 million over 5 years towards more than 7,000 additional social homes over the next decade. (Source)
Housing
Replace upfront stamp duty on residential properties with a yearly land tax
This policy would gradually phase out upfront stamp duty on homes and replace it with a yearly land tax on all residential properties, based on the value of the land. Under this policy, land tax would likely also apply to the home people live in, which is currently exempt. (Source) Infrastructure Victoria recommends making this change using a long-term approach âto avoid disruptions to government revenue and the housing marketâ. (Source) Victoria is already switching commercial and industrial properties from stamp duty to a land tax over ten years. (Source)
We could not find evidence of a commitment to replace residential stamp duty with a yearly land tax. Labor has instead committed to lifting the land tax threshold from $50,000 to $300,000 progressively over six years. (Source)
Housing
Cap yearly rent increases at the rate of inflation
This policy would cap yearly rent increases at the rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. The cap would apply to the property rather than the tenancy, so landlords could not evict a tenant to reset the rent at a higher level. (Source) The ACT is the only Australian jurisdiction with a similar policy, where landlords need the tenantâs written agreement or tribunal approval for rent increases that exceed Canberraâs rental inflation rate by more than 10%. (Source)
Labor voted against introducing a Greens bill in April 2026 that would freeze rents for two years and then cap increases at the lower of wage growth or inflation. (Source) Instead, Laborâs rental reforms from March 2026 let agencies (Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), and Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria) consider additional factors when deciding whether a rent increase is excessive, with no cap. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLabor strongly supports evidence-based policy that improves rental affordability and strengthens rentersâ rights. Thatâs why weâve delivered more than 155 rental reforms, making Victoria the best state in the nation to rent.
Labor does not support a fixed CPI rent cap, as evidence shows fixed rent caps and freezes can reduce rental supply and quality. However, Labor has legislated significant limits on rent increases:
- Rent can only be increased once every 12 months, and increases during a fixed-term lease must be set out in the agreement.
- Since 31 March 2026, when deciding whether an increase is excessive, Consumer Affairs Victoria, RDRV and VCAT consider how it compares with Melbourne CPI, the gap between current and proposed rent, and increases over the previous 24 months. VCAT can set a maximum rent.
- Rental bidding and no-fault evictions are banned, so rent cannot be pushed up through bidding wars or by evicting a renter to reset the rent. Notice of a rent increase is now 90 days.
We also note the ACT model is not suited to Victoria. The ACT limits increases by reference to the ABS CPI rents index for Canberra, which effectively covers the whole Territory. In Victoria, the equivalent ABS index measures rents in Melbourne only. The CPI does not measure rent changes in regional Victoria or across the very different local markets within Melbourne. A single CPI-based cap would apply one city-wide figure to a much larger and more diverse rental market.â (Source) (Source) (Source) (Source)
Housing
Raise the foreign purchaser duty on residential property
This policy would raise the foreign purchaser additional duty above its current rate of 8%. (Source) Foreign buyers would pay this duty on top of normal land transfer duty, on the share of a residential property they buy. (Source) A federal ban stops most foreign buyers from purchasing established homes until 30 June 2029, (Source) so the higher duty would mainly apply to new homes.
Labor has announced they would âreview the Absentee Owner Surcharge and Foreign Purchaser Additional Dutyâ to âinvestigate the effectiveness and impact of property chargesâ, but have not provided specifics. (Source)
Energy
Extend the operating life of coal-fired power stations
This policy would involve the state government taking steps to keep one or more of Victoriaâs coal-fired power stations generating electricity beyond their planned closure dates, such as through financial support, agreements with operators or changes to regulations. Yallourn is scheduled to close in mid-2028 and Loy Yang A in June 2035, so extending their operating lives would mean changing those plans and arrangements with their operators. (Source)(Source)
Laborâs energy policy focuses on renewables, with energy minister Jaclyn Symes saying âOnly Labor will build the critical renewable energy infrastructureâ as âaging coal-fired generators retireâ. (Source) In March 2025, the government said AEMO âhas not advised the Victorian Government that Yallourn would need to be extended beyond 2028â. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âEnergyAustralia announced Yallournâs 2028 closure in 2021, and AEMO says Victoria has enough energy capacity to support its retirement. Forcing an old, unreliable coal plant to stay open would hand Victorian taxpayers a massive bill.â (Source) (Source) (Source)
Energy
Support households to switch from gas to electric alternatives
This policy would use public funding to help incentivise households replace gas appliances for heating, hot water and cooking, with efficient electric alternatives. Support could take the form of rebates, discounts, zero-interest loans or installation assistance, including for rooftop solar, battery storage and emerging plug-in solar and battery technologies. Victoria already offers discounts on heat pumps and cooktops through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. (Source)(Source)
Labor launched Easy Electric SEC in May 2026, a free advice service and installer network to help households switch from gas to electric appliances. (Source) They have also announced that all new homes will be built all-electric from 2027 and that end-of-life gas hot water systems must be replaced with electric alternatives, (Source) with government rebates of $1,400 available to support the transition. (Source) Labor have also announced an expansion of their Solar for Apartments rebate program to support the installation of solar, with rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment and $140,000 per building. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âThe Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) scheme provides upfront discounts for efficient, electric appliances that lower bills for Victorian households and businesses. Since 2009, the VEU program has helped more than 2.4 million households and 180,000 businesses cut energy bills, reduce energy use and lower emissions. The program will save 37 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions for Victoria between 2022 and 2027. Thatâs equivalent to taking more than 11 million cars off the road for a year. The VEU provides households and businesses with discounts for a wide range of efficient electric appliances, including hot water heat pumps, reverse-cycle air conditioners, and from 1 July 2027, rooftop solar PV for households and businesses.â (Source) (Source)
Energy
Build transmission to connect renewable energy to homes and businesses
This policy would build new electricity transmission lines â high-voltage power lines that carry electricity over long distances from wind farms and solar farms to the local networks that supply homes and businesses. (Source) Planned projects include the Western Renewables Link, a proposed 190-kilometre line from near Ararat in western Victoria to Melbourneâs north-west. (Source) This policy aims to connect new renewable energy as coal-fired power stations close, including Yallourn, which EnergyAustralia plans to close in mid-2028. (Source)
Labor has committed to building VNI West, with energy minister Jaclyn Symes saying âonly Labor will build the critical renewable energy infrastructure, including VNI Westâ. (Source) However, in September 2026 Premier Ben Carroll ordered an immediate independent cost assessment of the Western Renewables Link, a 190km line from Bulgana to Sydenham, after its estimated cost rose from $479 million in 2019 to $1.53 billion in a 2024 document. (Source) The goal of the cost assessment is to reduce building costs and there is no evidence that Labor plan to scrap the project. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âGovernment has ordered an independent assessment into the costs of the Western Renewables Link. The assessment of the Planning Minister and the conclusion of the EES process is one of several steps to go, including State and Commonwealth agency approvals, and Parliament. As it moves along this considered process, Minister Jaclyn Symes has spoken with VicGrid and can reassure the community that no compulsory acquisitions will occur during this time. The assessment will be complete by the end of the year, and its findings will be made public.â
Energy
Give local communities a share of renewable energy projects
This policy would require companies building large wind, solar and battery projects to offer locals a share of the project or its profits. A share of the project means locals own part of it, while profit sharing means locals receive a portion of the projectâs earnings. (Source) From July 2027, Victoria will ask companies to consider community co-ownership, but they will not be required to offer it. (Source) (Source)
Labor has legislated payments of $200,000 per kilometre to landholders hosting new transmission, and has announced a REZ Community Energy Fund in each of the stateâs six renewable energy zones. (Source) AusNet says nearly 200 community groups applied for the $4 million Western Renewables Link benefit grants, which it says will be delivered regardless of whether the line is built. (Source) On the balance of evidence, Laborâs current proposals appear to be an indirect sharing of profits and benefits from these projects into the communities that host them, however there is no evidence that Labor supports mandating or encouraging community co-ownership of projects or direct profit-sharing.
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âVictoria has legislated a community benefits framework, with detailed funding arrangements and mandatory grid-access requirements under development.
Grid-access requirements: Under the Victorian Access Regime, planned to commence in July 2027, developers seeking access will need to meet the Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines, demonstrating meaningful engagement with landholders, neighbours, communities and Traditional Owners, and delivering social and economic benefits.
REZ Community Energy and Traditional Owners Funds: The Victorian Government legislated the framework for the REZ Community Energy and Traditional Owners Funds in 2025. These funds will support regional communities hosting renewable energy zones. These will fund initiatives that improve energy affordability and reliability, develop local jobs and renewable energy industries, and support biodiversity. Benefits will be additional to existing compensation and developer-led benefit arrangements. The final REZ Community Benefits Plan is scheduled for mid-2027.â (Source)
Education
Cap government funding for private schools at the established standard
This policy would cap total public funding for each Victorian private school at 100% of its Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), the estimate of how much funding a school needs to meet its studentsâ needs. (Source) On average, Victoriaâs private schools are funded slightly above their SRS (about 102.5% in 2023), while Victoriaâs public schools are funded below it (about 90%). (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âThe Federal Government funds 80% of the SRS for non-Government schools and the Victorian State Government funds 20%. Labor signed the Better Fairer Schools Agreement with the Commonwealth in October 2026 confirming this. Labor does not support non-government schools being funded over 100% of the SRS.
(Source, Table 1)â
Education
Expand government-run childcare centres in regional and high-need areas
This policy would open more government-run childcare centres, mainly in regional and high-need areas. It would build on Early Learning Victoria, the governmentâs existing childcare provider, which is already building 50 centres that offer kinder and long day care in one place. (Source) It aims to help families in âchildcare desertsâ, where more than three children compete for every childcare place. (Source)
Labor has committed to 50 government-owned and operated Early Learning Victoria centres by 2032, aimed at communities that need them most, with nearly $500 million committed in the May 2026 budget. (Source) They are backed by the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which targets âareas of need, including regional communities and outer suburbsâ and splits funding 50-50 between state-run and private operators. (Source)
Education
Establish 10 technical colleges to train secondary students in trades
This policy would establish 10 full-time technical colleges, each training up to 500 students in Years 10 to 12 in trades such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry, as well as healthcare and hospitality. (Source) The colleges would sit on existing secondary school and TAFE sites and, like South Australiaâs technical colleges, (Source) partner with local industry to create pathways into apprenticeships.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills and Training Gabrielle Williams has criticised the Liberalsâ proposal to establish technical colleges as âsegregating kids at 15 and closing doorsâ, and pointed instead to Laborâs introduction of a VCE Vocational Major and 16 new tech schools. (Source) They have also added six priority apprenticeships to Free TAFE for 2027. (Source)
Education
Fully fund public schools to the established standard
This policy would ensure Victorian government schools are funded to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), the estimate of how much funding a school needs to meet its studentsâ needs. (Source) Under an agreement between the Victorian and Australian governments, Victoria is lifting its share from about 70% to 75% of the SRS, and the Australian Government from 20% to 25%, so full funding will be achieved by 2034. (Source) (Source) Principals say schools currently rely on voluntary parent contributions to help fill the funding gap. (Source)
Community Safety
Toughen bail laws for serious and repeat offending
This policy would make it harder for people accused of serious offences or repeat offending to receive bail. (Source) Victoria tightened its bail laws in March 2025, applying stricter bail tests to more serious offences and to people who reoffend while on bail. (Source) Further proposed changes include a âone-strikeâ rule requiring bail refusal for repeat offending, stronger penalties for breaching bail and extending breach-of-bail offences to children.
Labor has introduced various commitments to strengthen bail laws. In July 2026, Labor expanded remote custody courts to four more sites and established an additional Bail and Remand Court in Melbourne, saying they have introduced âthe nationâs toughest bail lawsâ. (Source) Laborâs Bail Further Amendment Act 2025 added a second-strike rule and a âhigh degree of probabilityâ test for people on bail charged again with serious offences, which began in March 2026. (Source) (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLabor introduced tough bail laws which have seen bail revocations and refusals in the Magistrates Court make up a majority of bail decisions.
Thanks to our tough bail laws and Adult Time for Violent Crime, Crime is falling across Victoria. Youth offending is down 8.1 per cent, and burglary is down 19.9 per cent.
The Victorian Budget 2026/27 invested $155m in justice system capacity to deliver more justice sooner. This includes $117 million for a specialised, fast-tracked youth court list in the County Court to handle serious violent youth offenders.â
Community Safety
Increase investment in early intervention programs for vulnerable young people
This policy would increase state funding for early intervention programs, such as mentoring, family support and help to reconnect with school, work and community, with the aim to keep young people out of the youth justice system. As the Auditor-General found no evidence that Victoriaâs existing Youth Crime Prevention Program reduces offending, (Source) this policy would also focus on measurable targets and improving data.
Laborâs 2026-27 budget includes over $44 million for the Violence Reduction Unit and related youth violence prevention programs, and $9.5 million to boost Blue Light Victoriaâs mentoring and early intervention. (Source) In September 2026, they announced 17 new violence prevention programs and a new $13 million Ground Up grants program. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLabor established Australia's first Violence Reduction Unit, modelled on successful units in Glasgow and London. The VRU supports new programs that identify and disrupt youth crime patterns early. In September 2026, Labor announced 17 new violence reduction programs and the new Ground Up grants program for locally designed prevention initiatives in 12 priority locations.â
Community Safety
Increase funding to prevent and respond to family, domestic and sexual violence
This policy would increase state funding both to prevent family, domestic and sexual violence, through early intervention and prevention work, and to respond to it, through frontline services such as crisis response, case management, counselling and refuges. Victoria Police recorded 102,830 family violence incidents in the year to June 2026, (Source) and made a record 16,500 family violence arrests. (Source)
Labor has announced an extra $180m, funded equally with the Commonwealth, for family, domestic and sexual violence responses, including youth programs, crisis accommodation and Aboriginal community-led action. (Source) In the 2026-27 Budget, they restored nearly $100m of expiring family violence service funding for two years, which peak body Safe and Equal said leaves the sector in an âinsecure positionâ and lacks dedicated support for young people. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLabor implemented all of the recommendations of the world-first Royal Commission into Family Violence, including the $448 million statewide Orange Door network.â
Community Safety
Expand police stop-and-search powers to seize weapons in public spaces
This policy, known as âJackâs Lawâ, would allow police to scan anyone in a public place for knives and other metal weapons with a handheld metal detector, without a warrant or suspicion. (Source) Police can currently do this only inside formally declared âdesignated areasâ, such as shopping centres or train stations. (Source) This policy would remove the need to declare an area first. (Source)
Labor has committed to give police sweeping powers to stop and search anyone in public, also known as âJackâs Lawâ. (Source) They have pledged an additional 1,200 wands to support the policy, if implemented. (Source) However, on 23 September 2026, Labor voted against a Coalition bill motion, saying that they would instead âconsultâ and ânot rushâ the legislation. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âA re-elected Carroll Labor Government will implement Jackâs Law, which will be in place in 2027. These designated area laws were recently subject to a legal challenge in the Federal Court. Thatâs why weâll work with experts so the new legislation responds to issues raised by the courts, and is watertight.â (Source)
Health
Open 10 free public dental clinics
This policy would open 10 free, walk-in public dental clinics across Victoria â seven in Melbourne and three in regional areas â from July 2027. (Source) The clinics would provide free check-ups and treatment such as fillings, root canals and extractions, prioritising people with the most urgent needs, and could treat more than 100,000 people a year. (Source)
Labor has recently announced they would open 20 free public dental clinics, (Source) an increase from their proposed initial 10 clinics, (Source) at a cost of $460 million over three years. Laborâs release describes walk-in clinics open to all Victorians, treating more than 200,000 people a year âwhen up and runningâ, with urgent cases seen first. (Source) The package would also deliver sign-on bonuses to bring more dentists into the public system; $20,000 to join in metropolitan Melbourne, or $30,000 in regional Victoria, as well as fund clinical scholarships and relocation support for public dentists. (Source)
Health
Build more discharge lounges to ease ambulance ramping
This policy would create a fund to build or expand up to 10 discharge lounges in Victorian hospitals, starting with those experiencing the worst overcrowding and ambulance ramping. (Source) In a discharge lounge, patients ready to go home can wait for medication, transport or paperwork, which frees their ward bed for a new patient. (Source) This aims to move patients out of emergency departments faster, so paramedics spend less time waiting outside hospitals. (Source)
Labor has not committed to building more discharge lounges. Their $1.5 billion health package instead includes 1,500 more health workers, including 750 more nurses, 150 extra hospital beds, and expanding 12 hospital emergency departments by 25%. (Source), (Source) health minister Ingrid Stitt dismissed the Coalitionâs discharge lounge pledge, saying it would not create more capacity for patients. (Source) The 2025-26 budget included $58.4 million over two years to âimprove hospital patient flow and reduce ambulance rampingâ. (Source) Laborâs commitment builds on $50.4 million invested in the 25-26 Budget for the Timely Emergency Care program to improve whole-of-hospital flow, reduce delays, and support earlier recovery at home. (Source) (Source)
Health
Increase funding for community health services
Community health services are local services funded by the Victorian Government to provide allied health, counselling and nursing care, with a focus on groups such as children and people with chronic disease. (Source) This policy would increase the governmentâs core funding for community health services and bush nursing centres, so they can offer more prevention, early detection and care close to where people live. (Source) Over time, this aims to reduce demand for more complex and costly care in hospitals and emergency departments. (Source)
Labor invested $36.4 million in Flinders Street Health, which opened on 19 October and is run by Cohealth. (Source) After Cohealth announced the closure of three inner-city community health sites in late 2025, (Source) the government provided interim emergency funding and a 2026 commitment from Labor to further invest in, and redevelop, Cohealth Collingwood. (Source) The 2026-27 State Budget invests $20 million in the community-based chronic disease program, which will create a statewide chronic disease program across registered community health services for vulnerable Victorians aged 18 years and over living with chronic disease. (Source) Labor also launched the community pharmacist program Chemist Care in 2023, providing free consultations for common conditions and basic health care needs. (Source) They announced further program expansions in 2026, including resupply of HRT and availability of oral contraceptives and reflux medicines over the counter. (Source) However, there is no stated commitment to increase funding for community health services in regional Victoria.
Health
Fund private hospitals to perform more elective surgery for public patients
Based on Queenslandâs Surgery Connect program, (Source) this policy would let public patients choose to have elective surgery at a private hospital at no cost, through four-year contracts with private hospitals that have spare capacity. (Source) It would cover common procedures such as hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery and colonoscopies, and aims to halve the waiting list by delivering an extra 25,000 surgeries a year.
Premier Ben Carroll has called the Coalitionâs plan one that would âAmericanise our health systemâ, and Labor has committed instead to further investing in public health. (Source) (Source) This includes a $50.1 million investment announced in the 2026/2027 budget for 4,000 additional surgeries for children. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLabor shares the objective of reducing elective surgery waiting times, launching the Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint in 2023, and continuing to invest in public hospital capacity through new and expanded hospitals that add theatre capacity.
The 2026-27 budget provides $109.3 million over four years to improve planned surgery and specialist appointment access and outcomes, including:
- $33.3 million for continuation and expansion of the digital waitlist portal VicKey across Victorian health services
- $8 million for the development of a Specialist Advice Now pilot for GPs and patients to get timely specialist advice without the need for a referral
- Funding to deliver 4,000 more planned surgeries for children
Labor opposes long-term contracts that shift public patients and public funding into private hospitals.â
Climate
Establish a climate disaster recovery fund
This policy would create an ongoing Victorian fund to pay for clean-up, repairs to community infrastructure and local recovery services after climate disasters such as bushfires, floods and storms. Victoria already shares eligible recovery costs with the Commonwealth, (Source) but this policy would add a dedicated state fund for any disaster.
We could not find evidence of Laborâs position on establishing a Victorian climate disaster recovery fund. In February 2026, Labor did not support a new Resilient Homes scheme recommended by a parliamentary climate resilience inquiry, saying it âwould risk duplicating current programsâ and pointing to the Commonwealthâs Disaster Ready Fund and existing disaster recovery arrangements. (Source) They supported in principle better funding for councils rebuilding after disasters. (Source) Their 2026-27 budget funds recovery from the January 2026 bushfires with over $420 million, without creating a standing fund. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLabor funds recovery after disasters through Emergency Recovery Victoria and the joint CommonwealthâState Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The 2026-27 Budget funds recovery from the January 2026 bushfires. Labor supported in principle better funding for councils rebuilding after disasters. Labor does not support duplicating existing arrangements.â
Climate
Strengthen regulations to reduce land clearing on private land
This policy would tighten restrictions on removing native vegetation from privately owned land. Victoria already requires a council planning permit to remove native vegetation unless an exemption applies, so the change would strengthen existing controls. (Source) It would also provide dedicated state funding for councils to monitor clearing and enforce the rules, potentially using satellite and aerial imagery, as recommended by the Auditor-General. (Source)
We could not find evidence of any Labor announcements relating to private land clearing rules.
Climate
Legislate a duty of care to protect young people and future generations from climate harm
This policy would create a legal duty for Victorian decision-makers to prioritise the health and wellbeing of young people and future generations when assessing coal, oil and gas projects. They would have to assess how a projectâs contribution to climate change could harm young people. (Source) Victoriaâs Climate Change Act already requires the Minister to consider climate change when deciding whether to approve onshore oil and gas. This policy would add a specific duty focused on children and future generations. (Source)
At the federal level, Labor voted against implementing a duty of care in October 2025. (Source) (Source) At the time of writing, no Victorian Labor candidates have signed the Duty of Care Campaignâs active pledge for support of implementing a duty in the next government. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âN/A - This is a Federal Policy
Victoriaâs existing climate action policy framework already leads the nation, and Victoria has cut emissions by 28.5% since 2014 while growing the economy. The Climate Action Act embeds climate change mitigation and adaptation in Victorian Government decision-making. The Act also establishes a âpledging modelâ to reduce emissions from the Victorian Governmentâs own operations and across the economy, as well as a system of periodic reporting to transparently report on Victoriaâs progress against legislated targets. The Act also requires Victoria to set 5 yearly interim emission reduction targets in line with the legislated target of net-zero by 2045.â (Source)
Climate
Increase funding and resources for the Country Fire Authority
This policy would increase state funding and resources for the Country Fire Authority (CFA), whose volunteer brigades respond to fires and other emergencies across much of rural and regional Victoria. (Source) Additional funding could replace ageing fire trucks, upgrade stations and protective equipment, and provide training and support to recruit and retain volunteers. (Source)
Labor has invested $17 million to the CFA for critical firefighting resources. (Source) They have also committed further funding across broader emergency services, including funding for new vehicles. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLabor has more than doubled funding for emergency services, to a record $2.4 billion in 2026, and has increased CFA funding every year since Fire Services Reform in 2020. (Source) This funding has delivered over 350 new CFA trucks since 2023/24, with a new truck being delivered every four days. A reelected Carroll Labor government will provide an additional 100 new tankers, pumper-tankers and pumpers for the CFA by 2030 and replace all ageing single cab tankers by 2035. (Source)
Labor also invested $17 million to the CFA for critical firefighting resources for the 2026-27 High Risk Weather Season. (Source) They have also committed further funding across broader emergency services, including funding for new vehicles.â (Source)
Transport
Cap tolls at $30 a week for one year
This policy would cap weekly toll costs at $30 for cars, motorbikes and light commercial vehicles on CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel throughout 2027. (Source) Motorists would keep paying tolls as usual, then claim back what they paid above $30 a week through a quarterly Service Victoria rebate, up to $350 a week or $5,000 a year per vehicle.
Labor have committed to cap tolls at $30 a week across 2027 for cars, motorbikes and light commercial vehicles on CityLink, EastLink and West Gate Tunnel, costed at about $191 million, via quarterly rebates. (Source)
Transport
Spend 5% of the transport budget on safe, connected bike paths
This policy would dedicate 5% of the state transport budget to planning and building safe, separated cycling routes across Melbourne and regional centres. (Source) This 5% would be new funding, on top of existing walking and cycling funding and bike paths already built through major road and level crossing projects.
Labor has set a target of 25% of trips being active by 2030 and released an Active Transport Plan in 2026, (Source) but their 2026-27 budget included only $7.5 million for safer cycling, walking and public transport access. (Source) In response to the campaign, a government spokesperson pointed to past regional funding and work with councils, without committing to 5%. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âLaborâs transport policies have delivered the largest investment in new cycling infrastructure in Victoriaâs history. This has been delivered by making sure bike paths and related works are part of the scope of major projects. For example we delivered the new world-class Veloway as part of the WestGate Tunnel, more than 43kms of new bike paths through the Level Crossing Removal Program and 34km of new bike and walking paths as part of the North East Link Project.â
Transport
Spend at least $3 billion a year maintaining state roads
This policy would guarantee at least $3 billion a year to maintain state-managed roads. The Department of Transport estimated this is the amount needed to stop roads getting worse while replacing ageing assets. (Source) This is nearly three times the $1.04 billion budgeted for 2026â27, (Source) and more than double the $1.39 billion total, once an extra $352 million for pothole repairs is included. (Source) 82% of state roads are in regional Victoria, which also have the highest proportion of roads as being in poor or very poor condition. (Source)
Labor has allocated $1.04 billion for road maintenance in 2026â27 and added $352 million to double the number of potholes fixed this year, but has said this extra money is not a promise for future years. (Source) They have promised to bring road maintenance back under government control if re-elected, with the Premier saying âit's not just about moneyâ. (Source)
Transport
Improve frequency and connections across all Victorian public transport systems
This policy would run buses, trains and trams more often across Victoria and make it easier to change between them. Examples include metro trains at least every 20 minutes until midnight and key cross-suburban buses every 20 minutes, (Source) with upgrades to busy interchange stations such as Caulfield and Richmond. (Source) It would also align bus timetables with train and tram timetables so passengers wait less when they change services. (Source)
Labor has announced more than 400 extra weekly metropolitan train services from 23 August 2026, with more regional services and further metropolitan services planned for next year. (Source) They have committed Budget funding for 25 new trains, train service improvements, more buses and ferries, tram upgrades and Melton line electrification, (Source) but have scaled back the Suburban Rail Loop East. (Source) They have announced a $30 weekly fare cap from January, with no new frequency announcements in the campaign. (Source)
Response to Build a Ballot Vic 2026: âThe Metro Tunnel delivers Victoriaâs first turn-up-and-go train frequency, a gamechanger for Victoria. It also provides new connections across the network, for example at Parkville with many bus routes and the 19 tram, at Town Hall with Flinders Street and at State Library with Melbourne Central. Labor has deliver the new G Class tram, improving frequency and accessibility across a number of key Melbourne tram routes and improving the reliability across the entire tram network with improved availability of rolling stock. Victoriaâs new ticketing system also improves connections across our network, providing a seamless tap and go capability across transport modes for everyone. It also recognises concessions with credit card payments, something other credit card ticketing systems are not capable of.â
Other policies
Pause new AI data centres until protections are in place
This policy would temporarily pause approvals and construction of new AI data centres in Victoria until stronger, enforceable safeguards are in place for electricity and water use, the environment, and nearby communities. It aims to give communities time to weigh the risks and benefits, (Source) and give councils and residents a say on future projects. (Source) Victoriaâs new planning rules are not yet legally binding, and only cover applications lodged from 23 September 2026, not the stateâs 50 existing data centres. (Source)
Labor has not announced a pause on data centre approvals. They have supported the development of new data centres with conditions such as: renewable energy and storage requirements, water protections, a 150-metre buffer from homes, and a local investment guarantee. (Source) These requirements will only apply to new centres, not existing or previously approved ones.
Other policies
Repeal the Treaty legislation and the First Peoples' Assembly
Victoria became the first Australian state to legislate a Treaty with First Peoples in 2025, establishing Gellung Warl, which includes the elected First Peoplesâ Assembly. (Source) The Treaty was developed over nearly a decade of extensive community consultation, including elections for the First Peoples' Assembly. Negotiations between the Assembly and the government that were held across Victoria so communities could take part. (Source)(Source) Gellung Warl cannot make or veto laws, but can question ministers and must receive a treaty compatibility statement with every bill. (Source) This policy would repeal that legislation and abolish those bodies.
Other policies
Provide free abortion care
This policy would remove out-of-pocket costs for medication and surgical abortions before 16 weeks of pregnancy by paying participating private providers to deliver the care. Currently, most abortions in Victoria are provided privately, where patients may pay fees even after Medicare rebates. (Source) This policy would also include travel assistance for eligible patients who need to travel long distances for care. (Source)
Labor has committed to remove out-of-pocket costs for abortion care before 16 weeks, pledging $30 million over four years. (Source) They also committed to expand the eligibility of the Victorian Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) to deliver additional financial support for women in rural and regional Victoria to access care. (Source)
Other policies
Give workers a legal right to work from home two days a week
This policy would give eligible Victorian employees a legal right to work from home two days a week where reasonable, with a proportionate entitlement for part-time and regular casual employees. (Source) Employers could refuse on specified grounds, such as duties requiring attendance, significant productivity or safety impacts, or excessive costs, and would have to explain their reasons. (Source) Employees could challenge a refusal through the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and, if unresolved, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. (Source) On 10 September 2026, the Legislative Council voted to send the bill to a parliamentary committee, so it is not yet law. (Source)
Labor has repeatedly advocated for work-from-home laws and expected the legislation to pass in this term of Parliament. However, the Opposition and Crossbench in the upper house voted to refer the legislation to a Committee instead, which Premier Ben Carroll called âanti-family [and] anti-workerâ. (Source)