Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Budget 2023–24

David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:18): Under Labor, Victoria is broke. Life is getting harder under Labor, and Victorians are being punished by Labor’s incompetence. This was brought home to me today by Deborah, who just wrote to me, saying, ‘I am lucky to have a young mum as my cleaner. She had to bring three of her littlest with her today as they had no babysitter or day care. Her husband is unwell and cannot work. She cannot afford formula for the baby. Living hand to mouth at present, the cost of living has hit her with a very big stick. I am so grateful for what you are advocating out there. Wishing you all the best, but we are in dire straits.’

And that is where Victorians are at the moment. This budget is an absolute shambles. Nobody is being looked after here. Certainly my constituents in Caulfield have absolutely missed out. There is nothing for schools – absolutely broken promises when it comes to schools. Fifty-four schools were meant to get funded, and they missed out. Caulfield South Primary School have got absolutely nothing of what they were promised in this budget. We see massive debt and we see massive blowouts, and again Caulfield residents are absolutely struggling. Caulfield Racecourse Reserve has great opportunities for parkland and sports – nothing, zip, doughnut. Caulfield Hospital – nothing, zip, doughnut. There is absolutely nothing. Our poor constituents have missed out, and this government are smiling and patting themselves on the back while everyday Victorians are really struggling.