The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien says The Nationals and Liberals’ have released a new long-term economic plan is focused on reducing waste, easing pressure on families and businesses and restoring investment in frontline services and regional infrastructure.
Mr O’Brien said Victoria needs a stronger focus on responsible financial management so more money can be invested back into regional communities like those in Gippsland.
“Right now, Victoria is paying around $1 million every hour just in interest on Labor’s debt,” Mr O’Brien said.
“That is money that could otherwise be going into better roads, hospitals, schools, emergency services and important local projects here in Gippsland.”
Mr O’Brien said the plan combines tighter financial discipline, including a hiring freeze on back-off public servants, with measures designed to reduce costs for households, farmers and employers.
Key measures include:
- progressively lifting the land tax threshold to $300,000
- increasing the payroll tax threshold for businesses
- scrapping Labor’s emergency services tax
- lifting the stamp duty-free threshold for first home buyers to $1 million
- establishing a Royal Commission into cost blowouts and corruption linked to the Big Build
- repealing taxes on visits to the GP.
Mr O’Brien said Gippslanders had been hit hard by rising taxes and growing state debt.
“People in Gippsland work hard and expect their taxes to deliver real outcomes.
“Instead, we are seeing projects delayed, scaled back or left unfunded while billions are lost to cost blowouts in Melbourne.
“We need to get Victoria’s finances back under control so we can properly invest in the services and infrastructure regional communities need.”
Mr O’Brien said The Nationals’ goal was to return Victoria to a cash surplus by 2032 and begin reducing the state’s debt burden.
“That means focusing on essential services and creating an environment where businesses can invest, employ more people and grow.
“Only The Nationals and Liberals have a plan to get Victoria’s economy back on track.”