Katie Hall

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Whilst data centres do have a legitimate part to play, for example, in servicing the State Government’s new Footscray Hospital, I have long supported strict guardrails and preconditions before approvals occur.

That’s why I’m proud that after community campaigns and advocacy from like-minded Labor MPs, the State Government has established new rules for Victorian data centres, including that they must provide 100% of their own renewable power, must recycle potable water, and be approved no closer than 150m from residential zones.

The Next DC data centre in West Footscray was approved unanimously by Maribyrnong Council in 2021, after a motion was moved by Greens Councillor, Bernadette Thomas. More recently, Next DC have applied under the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Program to expand their facility. I have opposed this application publicly and definitively – in writing to the Planning Minister and directly to Premier Ben Carroll as soon as he became Premier. No decision has been made regarding this application and my position has not changed.

When it comes to the M3 facility, Next DC and Jemena both displayed appalling corporate arrogance, fundamentally failing to consult with the inner west community, with Maribyrnong Council and with the State Government.

When it comes to sustainable development, there is so much at risk this election. Polling shows that the Liberals and One Nation can only form government together – a government that would unwind Labor’s protections and let data centre development rip across the west.

Labor has built new and upgraded public transport services for working Victorians and halved the price of public transport fares. A re-elected Carroll Labor Government will go further, capping fares at $30/week.

Victorian Labor’s Metro tunnel is offering turn-up-and-go service from Footscray through 5 beautiful new underground stations.

Airport Rail is finally on its way – with construction on Stage 1 (West Footscray to Albion) works occurring right now and including a total rebuild of Tottenham Station.

Finally, we are upgrading the 82 tram line with modern and accessible stops. This upgrade is confirmed (not an election commitment) and slated for early next 2027.

Only a Labor Government can deliver the public transport infrastructure that working people rely on.

We’ve banned trucks on Moore St, Sommerville Rd, Buckley St, Francis St, and Williamstown Rd on nights and weekends. Along with the new West Gate Tunnel this has drawn 9,000 trucks off local roads.

The Dixon Veloway, connecting Footscray to the CBD, has added an incredible green/active transport option for the inner west. A re-elected Carroll Labor Government will deliver $60,000 to the City of Maribyrnong to fill the EV charging gap in Yarraville.

This all means better air quality around Footscray for working people.

Only a Labor Government takes our energy transition and our responsibility to our environment seriously. We are on track for 95% renewable energy in Victoria, with the State Electricity Commission delivering state-owned renewable energy.

As Parliamentary Secretary for Housing & Homelessness I am proud to have helped deliver new and upgraded social housing units across Footscray, as well as a boost to the outreach services that connect homeless or at-risk locals to the housing they need.

Women over 55 have found their forever home in Summerhill Village social housing in West Footscray. We have also delivered 16 solar-powered social housing units in Yarraville and 92 social homes on Wightman St.

The Victorian Government has also applied for social housing at the old Footscray Hospital site, through the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund, and I look forward to sharing positive news with the community soon about this application.

Investing in the community and outreach services that connect those in housing stress with the housing they need is essential. Our Community Connector program means social outreach workers are a permanent fixture at Footscray Station, building trust and connections with those in need and connecting them to housing services as well as other health services. This on top of ongoing funding for the Salvos Lighthouse Café.

I know the property market has become increasingly stacked against young people – it’s why Labor has increased taxes on those with multiple investment properties and on those with properties used as short-stay accommodation. This, and Victoria’s record build completion figures, have meant property price growth has been lower and slower in Melbourne than other major cities.
Labor will also build 25,000 first homes just for home buyers where they want to live. This includes homes reserved exclusively for first-home buyers, like the homes already committed for the old Footscray Hospital site redevelopment, alongside land already reserved for green and open space and our plan for social housing on the site.

We’ve backed renters with the strongest rights in the nation, including:

• Creating a single prescribed rental application form.
• 3rd party platform fees banned.
• Rental bidding banned
• Portable bond.
• Rights to pets.
• No-fault evictions banned.
• A 90-day notice to vacate period.
• Capped lease-break fees.
• More notice for rent increases.
• Limits on excessive increases.
• Limiting increases to once/year.
• Increased minimum standards, including heating and cooling.
• Key and fob rights.
• Creating RDRV to avoid going before VCAT.
• A ban on listing properties that don’t meet minimum standards.

From social housing, to first home buyers, to renter’s rights – Labor has delivered real action on the housing crisis.

I support woman having access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare. A re-elected Carroll Labor Government will make abortion care free in Victoria. This election, only Labor can stop the risk of a Liberal-One Nation Coalition Government that will hurt working people and undermine women’s reproductive rights.

Everybody has a right to feel safe in their community and in their workplace. I believe proper enforcement on the one hand, and compassionate and targeted early intervention and prevention on the other, are not mutually exclusive.

It’s why the State Labor Government has done both – tightening bail restriction for repeat offenders and ensuring serious consequences for serious crimes, while also investing in our Violence Reduction Unit program, which administers early intervention programs that meet young people where they are – in schools and local sporting clubs.

We are delivering more PSOs, including to patrol shopping strips like the Nicholson St mall. We’re recruiting more Police reservists, so our officers aren’t bogged down in paperwork and can be on the frontline when we need them most. We also know that training places for Police are too few, so Labor will build a new Police Academy in Melbourne’s West.

In addition to crime prevention initiatives, programs are being delivered to support people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health.

Just recently, Labor committed $7m to expand AOD outreach services like Co-Health, who we’ve also funded to operate a drug harm prevention van locally. Our Mental Health & Wellbeing Local on Barkly St, West Footscray, just opened, providing free mental healthcare to all. It’s just one service that our Community Connectors – State funded outreach workers permanently based at Footscray Station – connect at-risk people with.