This election, back Mallee families and young people
On Saturday 28 November 2026, Victorians will elect a new government. Whoever forms it should give Mallee families and young people the same support as everyone else.
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Why this election matters
Elections are when promises get made about where new services go, and which communities get them. Too often, the Mallee is left off the list.
In recent years, Victoria has built some of the strongest early intervention programs in the country. Young people without a safe home can get one, and a way back into study. Families with babies and toddlers can get specialist help before things reach crisis point. These programs are proven, they’re funded, and they’re growing.
But they stop short of the Mallee.
This election is our chance to change that. Mallee Family Care is asking every party and every candidate to commit to two services for Mildura before polling day.
What we’re asking for
A Youth Foyer in Mildura
More and more young people in Mildura are finding themselves without a safe place to call home, moving between motels, caravan parks and friends’ couches. It’s hard to think about study or work when you don’t know where you’ll sleep next week.
A Youth Foyer would give up to 40 young people aged 16 to 24 a home on the SuniTAFE campus for up to two years while they study, train or work. With La Trobe University on the same campus, a young person could go from a safe bed to a TAFE certificate to a degree, all within walking distance. Foyers work: 93% of young people leave a Foyer for secure housing, and 89% are in education, work or both.
The commitment: $2.3 million a year to run it. That would open the door to Commonwealth funding to build it.