By William Ton
Stakeholders have described the 2024 Victorian state budget as a subdued and stable spending plan compared to previous years.
REACTION TO THE VICTORIAN BUDGET
“This is much more of a responsible spend and they’re recognising that it’s time to live within the means so in all, a no frills budget for business” – Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra.
“Victorian workers would say this is a stable budget for a stable state” – Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari
“The lack of innovation and the uncompetitive nature of our tax regime will shift (housing) investment … to other states and internationally” – Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Cath Evans
“This is a Weight Watchers budget – last year we saw a range of tax increases, this year we’re seeing spending restraint as the mantra” – Monash economics lecturer Zac Gross
“Times are tough and in times like these it’s important that the government delivers strong and sustained investments for the long term” – Victorian Council of Social Services chief executive Juanita Pope
“We’ve seen the impact of the failures of the justice system nationally. We could have done something this budget but we haven’t” – Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive Katheleen Maltzahn
“Right now in Victoria not one public school is fully funded. Whilst every private school is overfunded. That is not fair” – Australian Education Union Victorian president Meredith Peace
“The budget that was handed down today clearly makes the task for Victoria’s visitor economy of recovering its No.3 spot on the ladder nationally for total tourism spend a whole lot harder” – Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani
“Melbourne Airport is one of the busiest in the world which doesn’t have any rail connection. So we are falling behind” – Public Transport Users’ Association’s Daniel Bowen
“Today’s announcement is yet another slap in the face from the Allan government and demonstrates the blatant disregard for our wildlife” – Wildlife Victoria chief executive Lisa Palma
“Victorians should be prepared for further crowding at hospitals and local GPs to be at breaking point” – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victoria chair Anita Munoz
“Airline workers don’t care whether the station is above the ground or underground” – Transport Workers’ Union secretary Mem Suleyman
“How can the Victorian Government say they are committed to the path towards treaty and self-determination when they continue to deprive Aboriginal communities of the resources we need to thrive?” – Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive Nerita Waight
“They continually dine out on COVID as an excuse for every failure of this government” – Opposition Leader John Pesutto
“In the middle of a housing crisis, Labor’s first budget under the new premier has no new money for housing, and nothing to help with soaring rents” – Greens leader Ellen Sandell
