Money, money: Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas presented the budget on Tuesday, May 6. Politicians from across the political spectrum have expressed their thoughts. Photo: AAP/Diego Fedele
Photo by
DIEGO FEDELE
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh says the people of Echuca will be ‘secretly slugged’ by the Victorian budget, pointing to hikes in rubbish collection charges and the annual fire services levy.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
He said while there is no household tax on top of Premier Jacinta Allan’s most recent “outrageous land tax”, there will be increases in waste management levies and the fire services levy.
“There is absolutely nothing here to help Victorians ease the cost-of-living crisis in which this mockery of a government has landed us,” Mr Walsh said.
Not happy: Peter Walsh slammed the state government, disagreeing with the claims that there is much to help ease the cost-of-living burden. Photo: Rechelle Zammit
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“In a meagre list of infrastructure projects for regional Victoria, just about all have had their completion timelines extended because the government simply doesn’t have the funds.”
The delivery of regional projects was a concern shared by State Member for Northern Victoria and Liberal MP Wendy Lovell.
She said the budget raised doubts about the future of Rochester’s expected police station.
In the 23-24 budget, $1.3 million was allocated to replace critical police facilities in Rochester, with an expected completion date of mid-2025.
In the meantime, temporary portable units have been in place, with police telling Campaspe News in October 2023 that the units were expected to be in use for 18 months to two years until the new permanent station was completed.
Concerned: Wendy Lovell MP wants answers from the government whether the permanent Rochester police station will be delivered on time. Photo: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
However, in this week’s budget, funding for Rochester’s new station has been folded into a larger fund for delivering new police station infrastructure statewide.
This larger statewide fund is expected to be completed one year later, which casts doubt on the timeline for completing the new Rochester police station.
“The Rochester rebuild is a top priority for Victoria’s post-flood recovery works, and the minister must give clarity to local residents and police officers on the completion date for their new police station and confirm that this project will not be delayed,” Ms Lovell said.
Government response: State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the 2024 budget is one that delivers for local families. Photo: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
In addition to trying to ease families’ cost-of-living issues, State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the government is continuing to support Victorians that have been affected by catastrophic weather events in the budget, with $301.5 million to help them rebuild and recover.
“With its first budget, the Allan Labor Government is focused on helping families in northern Victoria, delivering the projects and services our community deserves,” Ms Symes said.
“From the $400 School Saving Bonus to free vision tests and glasses for kids who need them, this budget provides real cost of living support for local families.”
