The Andrews government has delivered its second budget which focuses strongly on infrastructure, health, education and family violence.

Environment group Friends of the Earth welcome the modest commitments on climate and renewable energy but say budget 2017 must be a budget for the environment.

“There were a series of modest but welcome commitments made on the environment and climate change,” said Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth campaigns coordinator.

“The Andrews government can prove its environmental credentials by making it the centrepiece of budget 2017.”

Friends of the Earth media release. May 5, 2015

Friends of the Earth today welcomed the Victorian Government’s commitment to renewable energy through its $20 million New Energy Fund and the $200 million Future Industries Fund, which identifies new and emerging technologies that will be supported, including renewables.

MEDIA RELEASE: 1 Dec 2014

Friends of the Earth welcome the election of the pro-renewable energy Daniel Andrews Labor government in Victoria.

"The sun was setting on Victoria's renewable energy sector under the Coalition," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy spokesperson.

"With the election of the Daniel Andrews Labor government, and Ellen Sandell of the Greens in Melbourne, Victoria can enter a new era for renewable energy."

The 2014-15 Budget will be released on Tuesday 6 May 2014.

State budgets define the priorities of the government of the day. They speak to what type of world view that government holds. Will next weeks budget be another indication that we have a Coalition that is in denial about the reality of climate change, instead clinging vainly to the technology of the 20th century in the hope it can realise the dream of ‘clean coal’?

Or, in light of the massive impacts of the Hazelwood mine fire, will it use this budget as a chance to draw a line under the policies of the past, one where it starts to acknowledge the true economic costs of climate change and commits to the transition to clean and renewable energy that we so urgently need?

A research report released today by FoE shows that the financial cost to governments and the community in Victoria from natural disasters was almost $20 billion dollars over a ten year period from 2003 to 2013. A research report released today by FoE shows that the financial cost to governments and the community in Victoria from natural disasters was $19.937 billion dollars over a ten year period from 2003 to 2013.

On Friday July 1, the Victorian Climate Change Bill comes into force. Amongst a range of measures, it commits Victoria to a 20% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2020.

We are hosting an information night for members and supporters to inform and – hopefully - engage people in our election plans. All welcome.

Thursday June 17.

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the state government's continued commitment to providing substantial funding for public transport in the release of the budget today.

Given that this budget is very light on the pivotal issues of water and climate change, we keenly await the release of the Climate Change White Paper. With an election on the horizon, the state government will need to deliver some substantial policy on climate change before November.

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's release of the Victorian government's 'Jobs for the Future Economy' package.

“Today's announcement shows both vision and leadership – Victoria is now in front of other Australian states on the issue of green transformation. The package  provides the basis for a coherent vision of a greener economy .”

A forum, with Sally Moxham, who has long worked in the sustainability field, and who has just spent a year heading up the Energy Efficiency and Microgeneration Policy Unit in the Scottish Government.

All welcome,  Friday May 14.