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Melina Bath slams Labor budget for higher debt, taxes and regional neglectMelina Bath says Labor budget increases debt, taxes and costs while neglecting regional hospitals, schools and election commitments, leaving Victorian families worse off. By news@gippsland - 6th May 2026 - Back to News The Nationals’ Melina Bath said Labor’s budget delivers more debt, taxes, higher costs and fewer opportunities, warning that hardworking regional Victorians are being left to carry the burden. "Labor is attempting to hoodwink voters with sugar hits and fake ‘freebie’ headlines, but no amount of spin can hide the fact this budget makes life harder, not easier," Ms Bath said. 
Ms Bath criticised Labor for failing to deliver $965 million hospital commitments, saying funding is minimal and regional healthcare upgrades delayed until 2030 Health funding criticismMs Bath said, "It forces Victorians to shoulder a $6.87 billion emergency services tax, more than double the previous levy, burdening families who are already stretched to breaking point. The absence of funding for Wonthaggi Hospital Stages 2 and 3 and a new West Gippsland Hospital shows Labor will not deliver its election promises." Ms Bath said four years after Labor promised a combined $965 million for these critical regional hospital projects, there’s no funding for bricks and mortar or a timeline for delivery. "It is an absolute farce that a four year old election commitment has been given mere peanuts - $3.69 million, or 5.6 per cent of what Labor promised to voters last election." Budget neglect exposedMs Bath said, "The budget exposes Labor’s neglect of regional healthcare - funding for the Wonthaggi Hospital medical imaging, pharmacy and pathology and temporary band aid fixes for the old Warragul Hospital won’t be completed until 2030." "Education funding tells the same story of underfunding - only eight Gippsland schools will receive funding for upgrades, Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, San Remo, Drouin, Traralgon, Yinnar Leongatha and Wonthaggi - despite 44 local schools being rated poor or average for building condition and maintenance." "Labor’s financial mismanagement is driving Victoria deeper into debt and creating poorer outcomes. Debt will hit an eye watering $200 billion by 2030 unless there is a change of government in November - interest costs alone are around $28 million a day, with Victorians the highest taxed people in the country. Only The Nationals will stand up to waste and corruption and restore transparency and responsibility to government," said Ms Bath. Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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