Government waste cuts services and investment

The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for failing to deliver essential investment for the region, as Victoria’s spiralling debt requires $1.2 million in interest payments every hour.

Since the budget was delivered, Victoria has added $26.4 million to net debt every single day, which Ms Cleeland said added an extra $4.8 billion now onto the state’s credit card and will burden future generations.

“Every Victorian child will spend their entire adult life paying for this government’s failures,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Every dollar of that mounting debt is a dollar not spent improving the lives of our regional communities.”

Victorians are now paying $20.8 million in interest repayments every day, money Ms Cleeland says could have transformed safety, education, health, and essential services across the Euroa electorate.

“That money could have repaired the dangerous stretches of the Midland and Goulburn Valley highways,” Ms Cleeland said.

“It could have resurfaced the crumbling shoulders contributing to tragic road fatalities.

“It could have reopened Benalla’s maternity service, which local families desperately need.

“It could have replaced ageing CFA tankers or strengthened our SES units heading into one of our most dangerous fire seasons in years.”

Ms Cleeland said the wasted millions could also have delivered on the region’s most desperately needed projects.

“Instead of funding the Kilmore Bypass or building the Kilmore Secondary School – the largest town in Victoria without one, this government has allowed billions to evaporate into interest repayments,” Ms Cleeland said.

“It’s a shameful demonstration of misplaced priorities.”

Ms Cleeland said none of these critical projects were delivered in the budget, leaving communities across the region once again overlooked.

“Instead of investing in regional Victorians, this government is burning billions because it cannot manage money,” Ms Cleeland said.

“The cost of Labor’s financial incompetence is being paid by families in the Euroa electorate every single day.”

Ms Cleeland said government must focus on safer roads, accessible healthcare, proper school infrastructure, and well-resourced emergency services.

“Our region deserves better than being an afterthought in the state budget,” Ms Cleeland said.

“I will continue to call out these failures and demand the essential services and infrastructure our communities urgently need.”