In the state of Victoria, there is a role for both the education system and for the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) in the teaching and awareness of civics. The committee believes that civics and a lack of public understanding about the way our democracy works is a significant issue.

The key purpose of this interim report is to provide a detailed account of the many submissions received, and to identify common themes and issues raised. The committee recommends that this inquiry be referred to the appropriate committee in the next Parliament for full investigation.

This inquiry, the first completed by a Legislative Assembly select committee in many years, examined the impact on Victorians of the Fair Work Commission’s 2017 decision to reduce penalty rates in the hospitality, fast food, retail and pharmacy sectors.

The Perinatal Services Inquiry engaged in the significant task of examining the quality and safety of perinatal services in Victoria, including services dealing with high risk and premature births, and the quality and safety of current methods to reduce infant and maternal mortality.

The number of people on the Victorian Housing Register increased by around 1,500 people in the first three months of 2018 alone. Having declared the Public Housing Renewal Program to be a project of statewide significance, the state government intends to take control of the planning process instead of local councils.