Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP

State Budget

Borrowing to waste.

By Portal Admin - 13th December 2020 - Back to News

Dear Editor,

The regions have been robbed in the latest State Budget.

A big spend on our country towns was just what we needed, but despite boasting a record spend – propped up by a looming $155 billion debt – Labor has again overlooked us in favour of Melbourne.

The forecast $47.9 billion deficit forecast for Victoria is higher than the $43.4 billion total of NSW, QLD, SA, WA & TAS – combined – over the same period.

It’s shockingly obvious that Labor is again not borrowing to build, they’re borrowing to waste. Multi-billion dollar spends on big ticket – and big headline – builds in Melbourne won’t actually start for years, while regional Victoria has largely missed out.

There’s no funding for health services at Maffra, Warragul, Hamilton, Swan Hill or Willaura.

There’s no funding to complete upgrades at schools in Bairnsdale, Foster or Cohuna or for CFA stations at Myrtleford, Yarrawonga, Rochester and Leitchville.

There’s no funding to complete the $260 million Shepparton bypass, despite the Federal Coalition providing $208 million.

There’s no funding to properly complete the Murray Basin Rail Project and fix Labor’s mess.

And despite a big taxing, big borrowing budget, Victoria’s jobs crisis is set to continue with unemployment to remain higher than the national average for each of the next four years.

We need to revive our economy, but it’s clear from this Budget that Labor’s got no vision or plan to deliver it.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

• Statement from CEO Tilla Buden - Councillor Ben Lucas to contest Victorian state election
  West Ward Councillor Ben Lucas will contest the Victorian State Election on 28 November 2026. He plans to seek leave from Council, with administrative arrangements underway to ensure Council operations and procedures continue during his absence.
• State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
  Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
  Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election candidates to fund critical projects before Victorian state election in November
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital.
• New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
  Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community input on priorities and spending ahead of 2027/28 Budget Development and financial planning process
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback to help shape its 2027/28 Budget, with residents encouraged to share priorities, ideas and concerns through Have Your Say by November 1.
• Danny O’Brien urges Premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
  Danny O’Brien is urging the Premier to delay awarding VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s state election, citing landholder concerns and unresolved environmental, financial and property impacts.
• Latrobe City Council will push six reforms addressing regional investment, housing, infrastructure, funding fairness and sustainability at MAV State Council
  Latrobe City Council will take six reform proposals to the MAV State Council, targeting fairer funding, housing, planning, investment, infrastructure and support for regional communities.
• East Gippsland Council calls for ESVF levy reform ahead of November Victorian state election
  East Gippsland Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to reform the ESVF levy, citing disproportionate regional costs and seeking fairer, transparent emergency services funding.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges community advocacy for major projects ahead of Victorian state election
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging residents to support advocacy for the Rokeby to Noojee Trail Extension and urgent Warragul-Drouin intersection upgrades ahead of the Victorian state election.