Labor’s lack of plan hits Victorians’ hip pocket

Victorians need a plan to secure our economic recovery but all Labor offers in the State Budget 2021-22 is more taxes, fewer jobs and more pain for families and small businesses.

State Liberal Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish says the sharp rise on taxes will hurt local families and small businesses the most.

Ms McLeish said, “Victorians are being slugged the highest taxes in the country, while people in our community are waiting longer for ambulance services, school facilities are outdated, and urgent road repairs are ignored.”

Despite the Federal Government increasing its payments to Victoria in its budget by more than $6 billion, the Andrews Labor Government will instead hit Victorians with $5.8 billion in new and increased taxes.

Ms McLeish continues, “While Victorians are paying more and receiving less, the new tax grab is single-handedly due to the Andrews Labor Government’s total inability to manage our money, and now our region is suffering for it.”

Every major project is botched, over budget or both. Metro Tunnel is more than $3.4 billion over budget. The West Gate Tunnel is at least $3 billion over budget and at least two years late. That’s over $6.4 billion in overruns and time blowouts on just two major projects alone.

In the 2021-22 State Budget, Labor has also cut $2.54 million from community grants that support the fight against Queensland fruit fly that threatens the Yarra Valley.

Getting on top of its current cost overruns and project failures must be Labor’s highest priority.

“Victorians deserve a responsible government to manage funding and understand key projects in the region. They’re being let down by Labor having no plan for the future and putting our economic recovery at risk,” Ms McLeish concludes.