Politics & Council
18 April, 2024
PERSPECTIVE Backward steps: a State Budget to fear
By GAELLE BROAD WE turned our clocks backwards last weekend with the end of daylight savings, but under Labor, Victoria is going backwards too. With a horror state budget looming, it’s evident that the Allan Labor Government plans to inflict...
By GAELLE BROAD
WE turned our clocks backwards last weekend with the end of daylight savings, but under Labor, Victoria is going backwards too.
With a horror state budget looming, it’s evident that the Allan Labor Government plans to inflict severe cuts on regional Victorians.
The Government is making cuts to basic regional services, as it scrambles to cover its massive interest repayments.
Victoria’s total net debt will reach $177.8 billion in 2026, more than the net debt of NSW, Queensland and Tasmania combined. That’s more than $24,000 for every Victorian. The interest on the debt alone is over $24 million every single day.
Labor’s mismanagement of debt is a major concern.
As people struggle with cost of living pressures, Labor has introduced over 53 new or increased taxes since coming to office, on everything from rents, jobs, schools and even weekends away.
Labor’s ever-rising debt level means Victorians are paying more in tax, and getting less services.
Our roads and bridges are left without adequate funding, and even grants for our grassroots sporting groups are drying up.
Flood recovery projects continue to be held up by layers of red tape – something that the communities in the Loddon Shire know only too well.
Labor’s continued focus on Melbourne is evident in the government’s dogged commitment to the Suburban Rail Link – which is billions of dollars over budget - while the regions miss out on vital, everyday services.
The Nationals have grave concerns over cuts to services and the government’s city-centric focus at the expense of the regions.
Our police, for example, are already under the pump thanks to this government’s policies.
Under Labor we have seen a weakening of bail laws, the identity of criminals protected and rural police stations closing their doors. There are more than 800 vacancies in Victoria Police, and 43 stations have been forced to reduce their opening hours.
Policing is not a luxury – particularly in regional areas – where we need to ensure community safety. Any reduction in resources risks leaving regional communities vulnerable to crime.
Similarly, the looming cuts to health expenditure are deeply troubling. Regional Victorians are already behind the eight-ball in terms of access to healthcare when compared to our city cousins.
In recent days we have heard that regional hospitals are under threat like never before.
More than a dozen regional health services have reported operating losses in the past financial year.
The Allan Labor Government is poised to impose further severe funding cuts, triggering forced mergers, service reductions and potential closures.
The Nationals will continue to advocate for access to quality healthcare for all Victorians.
Education is another area where regional Victorians are already being left behind.
Cuts to education funding undermine the efforts of our hard-working teachers to deliver quality learning outcomes in regional schools.
There are severe teacher shortages, especially in the regions.
For the past 10 years under Labor, Victoria has been the lowest funded state for vocational education and training in the nation.
Early childcare is closely connected to education, and this is a major concern in many rural and regional areas that I visit.
Sadly, some areas are regarded as a child care desert. Just a few days ago, one regional council told me that a lack of child care was “killing our community” as families left town in order to be able to access childcare so they could work.
Infrastructure – particularly roads - is a massive concern for regional Victorians. Many of our roads are in a terrible state. Labor has cut the road maintenance budget by 45 per cent since 2020.
Repeated funding cuts by this Labor Government have seen roads deteriorate to an appalling standard, with new data showing 91 per cent of roads across the state are now classified as being in “poor” or “very poor” condition.
On top of this, our local councils, including the Loddon Shire, have had to battle endless red
tape to access funds to repair roads and bridges damaged by flooding.
Labor can’t manage money, and regional Victorians are paying the price through higher taxes, and crippling cuts to essential services such as health, education, roads and police.
Gaelle Broad is the member for Northern Victoria Region