Victoria designates a Parliamentary Secretary for ‘Men’s Behaviour Change’
The role will earn nearly $245,000 per year.
Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a new state overseer for “men’s behaviour change” in Australia’s second most populous state.
The position will investigate the impact of social media and the internet on the behavior of men and boys.
The role of “parliamentary secretary” is a promotion from a regular member of parliament and sits just below cabinet ministers.
In Victoria, a parliamentary secretary earns nearly $244,991, consisting of a base salary of $198,839 plus an additional $46,152 for extra duties.
Premier Allan stated that state member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson would be appointed as the first overseer of “men’s behaviour change” as part of a reorganization of secretary responsibilities on May 28.
Related Stories
She mentioned that this promotion will further the government’s goal of making Victoria a safer place for women and children, as well as reducing the number of deaths of Victorian women “at the hands of men.”
Mr. Richardson was previously serving as parliamentary secretary for health infrastructure, mental health, and suicide prevention.
He will now relinquish the health infrastructure duties to concentrate on his new role.
Additionally, the premier announced three other parliamentary secretaries in infrastructure delivery, education, and emergency services.
In response to his appointment, Mr. Richardson expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.
“We understand that the time to combat men’s violence against women is now, and it starts with us men and boys. We must strive to create a safer environment in Victoria for women and children and work to eliminate the tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men.”
The co-founder of the advocacy group Not One More, Niki Tarang Chawla, expressed his desire to meet with MP Richardson soon to discuss solutions for domestic violence.
Mr. Chawla tragically lost his sister Nikita in 2015 when she was fatally stabbed by her husband in a severe domestic violence incident.
Victorian Government Heading to $188 Billion Debt
On the other hand, the Victorian government has been making efforts to strengthen its position after recent budget data indicated the state’s projected debt reaching $187.8 billion by the 2028 fiscal year.
Opposition Leader John Pesutto criticized the budget, calling it the result of a decade of financial mismanagement.
He stated that the government’s priorities were misplaced and that it had failed to alter the state’s course.
“With record debt, interest, taxes, service reductions, and poorer outcomes – it is evident that Labor lacks the ability to manage finances, and Victorians are bearing the consequences,” he declared in early May.
