Tuesday, 21 February 2023

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (12:49): The cost of living has become a huge issue, as we know, across the state and particularly down through the growth corridors. People are – I would say coming into our office, but I have not got an office at the moment – through emails, phone calls and meeting up with them in cafes complaining about some of the issues they are facing as energy prices go up and gas prices go up, the things that are affecting everyday life that they have to pay for.

Interest rates are also increasing. All we have seen as a response so far, on top of the interest rate increases, is more taxes in this state. We want to see a position where more and more people have an opportunity to own their own homes, not windfall taxes that are making sure that people cannot get into their own homes. We want to see a position in Victoria where people living in our area do not have to choose between paying their gas and electricity bills and putting food on the table. We cannot afford to be in a state where we are continuing to see the cost of education skyrocket even in our government schools, which is putting pressure on families who want to buy school uniforms, go on excursions or have a weekend where they can go to McDonald’s to have a night out with their families but who are struggling to do that because of the pressures that are being put on families at the moment.

We continue to hear the government talk about trying to bring down the cost of living – the cost of gas and the cost of electricity – but we are continuing to see it increase. The communities out in the growth corridors are facing enough pressures, whether they are stuck on roads or stuck on public transport; they cannot get where they need to go and they are having trouble getting to and from work. What they are asking for from this government is a bit of support and for it to make sure it can reduce taxes in our state to give families the benefits they need.