MELBOURNE, 23 May, 2026: Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan used the Victorian Labor State Conference on 23 May 2026 to launch a pre‑election jobs agenda, promising a publicly funded apprenticeship academy through a revived State Electricity Commission. The plan will create 2,000 electrical apprenticeship places over four years, starting in January 2027, with a projected state cost of $50 million. (See video above)
The Premier said, “2,000 young workers in the SEC Apprenticeship Academy – earning while they’re learning, building cheaper, homegrown power.”
“Thirty years ago, a Liberal Government switched the lights off on my dad’s career. Now we’re training thousands of young people to switch them back on,” she said.
Allan framed the SEC‑led apprenticeships as a response to workforce shortages and a contrast with Coalition plans she described as “cuts‑driven austerity.” Delegates also backed policy explorations including a reduced workweek, at least 12 days of reproductive‑health leave, and decriminalisation of personal cannabis use, alongside debates on housing, transport, and data‑centre emissions. Political analysts are viewing the speech as Labor’s soft launch for the state’s November 2026 election campaign.
Liberal energy and resources spokesman David Davis dismissed the revived SEC as a “fraud that has not delivered,” arguing it has produced no new power‑generation projects since being relaunched by Labor, while electricity prices in Melbourne have risen and the promised SEC retail service has not materialised.
Victoria Premier’s speech at ALP Vic State Conference 23 May 2026
