Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the Labor State Government where Premier Jacinta Allan has either been Premier, Deputy Premier or Senior Cabinet Minister.
The question is, are we better off after a decade? On a range of measures, many other states can say they are, but let’s look at a few of Victoria’s key performance indicators.
STATE DEBT
In 2014 Victoria’s debt was $22.3 billion when the Liberals and Nationals lost power – lower than the figure we inherited four years earlier as it was being paid off.
Today, the government’s own figures forecast it will hit $187.8 billion in a couple of years, an increase of 742 per cent. This will be higher than Queensland, NSW and Tasmania combined, all who went through COVID as well.
Interest repayments on this debt are soon to hit $26 million per day, that’s more than $1 million per hour. This means we are paying more interest servicing our debt than we are spending on essential services like health, education and roads.
While the above are Labor’s own figures, it is likely much worse with some economists saying the debt will peak at well over $200 billion.
Despite this situation and outlook, the government is pushing ahead with its $216 billion Suburban Rail Loop, a project we were initially told by Jacinta Allan would cost $50 billion.
TAXES
Due to the financial mismanagement of this Labor Government, Victoria is the highest taxed state in the country with 56 new or increased taxes on small businesses, family households and renters.
In addition, we have surging energy prices despite promises every year they would be reduced. Power prices have risen more in Victoria than any other jurisdiction.
In the past two years a staggering 152,650 small businesses closed their doors in Victoria, as rather than create an environment where they can thrive, Labor has taxed them into oblivion.
This is what happens when you increase land tax by 494 per cent and payroll tax by 138 per cent.
ROADS
When you have this level of debt you would like to think you at least have something to show for it.
However, in 2024 the government’s own survey showed 91 per cent of roads were rated as “poor” or “very poor”. The RACV reported 64 per cent of drivers now rate potholes as the biggest safety worry.
We now have emergency services saying the road conditions are impacting their ability to respond in the most timely manner.
This is what happens when roads maintenance funding and resealing funding is slashed – it can only end one way.
Labor alarmingly says as a badge of honour it filled 220,000 potholes last year, but this is a symptom of the appalling mismanagement. Many are back to potholes within days due to absence of a real fix.
HEALTH
As many of our health workers state – the system is broken.
Across the board country hospitals, including Bairnsdale, Maffra, Orbost and Omeo have been asked to cut their budgets, while not impacting front line staff. There are not any staff walking round twiddling their thumbs so it’s impossible to cut budgets and not impact service levels.
Surgery waiting lists have blown out and ambulance response times are worse than 2014. Our health sector workers do a great job and need more support, not budget pressures and cuts.
The State held a Royal Commission into its mental health system, but years on 44 of the 65 recommendations have not been acted on, with many abandoned.
Why are we investing in a metro rail tunnel while our health system is in this situation?
CRIME
Crime is out of control in this state. We have had crime prevention program funding cut by 47 per cent, bail laws weakened, police stations closed and many more on reduced hours.
Is it any wonder violent crime has surged to levels we thought we would never see, particularly in areas like aggravated burglaries on family homes.
The state has developed a culture where criminals face little responsibility for their actions, highlighted by news just last week where one individual has received bail on 57 occasions.
HOUSING
The government’s so called ‘Big Build’ is a big con. In East Gippsland, Wellington and Latrobe we have over 40 less public housing homes than we had in 2017.
All you will hear is the government touting the new homes built, but their own annual report shows they are selling off and demolishing old stock quicker than they are building new homes in Gippsland.
We have had a net loss of public housing homes in this region amid a housing crisis.
In addition, this government has created its own rental crisis by taxing mum and dad investors out of the market, with 29 new property-based taxes. This has resulted in far less rental homes available for those who cannot afford their own.
For those who do stay in, to meet repayments they have to raise rents to tenants who cannot afford the increases. This is the result of a punitive tax system.
Labor’s policies have locally created less public housing homes and less rental properties available.
SUMMARY
Space does not permit to go into the other areas like the Commonwealth Games disaster or backtracking on pre-election promises like airport rail, the dismantling of the timber industry, billions in cost blowouts due to financial mismanagement, cuts to the agriculture, regional development and CFA budgets to fund metro projects and the proposals to create more national parks and restrict activities we enjoy.
What alternate actions could be taken? For starters, scrap the expensive Suburban Rail Loop and put the money into hospitals and roads. Instead of cutting front line regional workers, take the jobs from the metropolitan public service that has doubled in number under this government. Toughen bail laws so repeat offenders are responsible for their actions. Have a tax system that incentivises in the areas of housing and small business rather than force investors interstate – and stop the blow outs on major projects rather than pandering to union thugs.
Does anyone really think we are better off after 10 years of Labor?
