The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has outlined the critical projects and initiatives that must be funded in tomorrow’s Victorian Budget.
The Allan Labor Government is expected to cut billions of dollars from essential services, with $2.5 billion in public education cuts already confirmed.
The government also continues to go ahead with projects costing billions of dollars and billions in cost blow outs while we have a cost of living crisis and an extreme housing shortage.
We have crumbling, unsafe roads and a primitive road network.
Over $21 billion worth of government initiatives are set to lapse at the end of this year, across 368 programs including those for homelessness, suicide prevention, school construction and mental health.
“Our region is in the midst of a housing crisis, but rather than help get people into homes, the Allan Labor Government has concentrated on city centric projects that do nothing for regional Victorians,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
While the axe hangs over important government programs, the Allan Labor Government remains committed to the Suburban Rail Loop, a project set to drain the state’s finances for decades.
Ms O’Keeffe said regional Victorians shouldn’t be expected to foot the bill for Labor’s financial mismanagement and miss out on funding for crucial services and important projects.
“Victoria’s net debt is forecast to hit $187 billion by 2028 with interest repayments set to soar past $25 million per day. This is money that should be spent on housing, hospitals, education, infrastructure, roads and essential services,” she said.
“We’ve got a government that’s responsible for 60 new or increased taxes due to their incompetence and financial mismanagement.
“The latest of which was a sinister and callous cash grab, dressed up as a Fire and volunteer levy, significantly financially impacting our farmers, CFA volunteers and all Victorians.
“Regional Victoria makes up 25 per cent of Victoria’s population, and we should be receiving 25 per cent of the state’s infrastructure spend.
“I’ve been consistently calling on the Allan Labor Government to fund the completion of the GV Health redevelopment, including a fully Integrated Cancer Centre, which includes radiotherapy.
“We are the only major hospital in Victoria without an entire Integrated Cancer Centre.
“We have a partially completed hospital redevelopment, and this government must prioritise health.
“It is astounding to think the government is turning its back on our healthcare needs.
“An upgraded road network is essential to the progress, safety and traffic movement of our region.”
Funding is required for a Road Network Resilience Package, prioritising the much-needed roads projects required for the efficient and safe movement of traffic, including the critical second river crossing.
There are also shovel-ready projects across the Shepparton region that urgently need funding to boost economic growth and meet critical community needs.
“We have critical projects that are ready for funding right across the region, projects that will provide an economic boom to our community,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“The government should be backing the construction of a new Shepparton Sports Stadium and advocating to the Federal Government for their share of the funding.
“We also urgently need funding for a review of our region’s bus network, a network that is completely outdated and no longer serves the needs of our community.
“With the last review conducted 15 years ago, entire towns have no public transport options, limiting job opportunities and access to essential services.
“This is a small financial request, yet this government has failed to take action for many years while the community suffers with inadequate bus services.
Ms O’Keeffe also outlined vital services that need to be funded to support and protect our economy across the region the local economy.
“This Budget must contain funding for an Area Wide Management Program to control Queensland Fruit Fly numbers across the Goulburn Murray Valley,” she said.
“For just $1 million per year, the government should be funding this program and protecting our $1.6 billion horticulture industry that feeds the nation, and without this funding is at risk.
“Considering the level of state debt, we will be bracing for what else this government will be cutting in this budget.
“The Allan Labor Government continues to try and tax their way out of this debt and every Victorian is paying the price.
“I’ll be heavily scrutinising every line in this Budget and holding the Allan Labor Government to account for any failure to provide our region with funding for the projects and programs we so desperately need.”
