Thursday, 28 November 2024

Economic policy

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:11): My question is to the Premier. The Auditor-General has found that:

… the government has not established a long-term specific target for net debt to GSP ratio or ceiling on the quantum of debt it plans to take on.

Without either the Auditor-General’s debt-to-GSP ratio or ceiling on debt, will Victoria’s gross debt reach $268 billion by 2028?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:12): The budget papers clearly outline the government’s fiscal strategy. Of course there are choices, and the choice we make through our fiscal strategy is to support people and keep people in work to grow our economy. There are alternatives of course. There are alternatives that have already been outlined to the Victorian community to cut and close.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier will come back to the question. The Premier has concluded her answer.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): The Victorian Auditor-General found:

When the government spends more money on interest payments, there will be less money available for public services.

With less money for public services because of Labor’s debt, is this why hospitals, roads, Ambulance Victoria and Triple Zero, with its annual report showing a $38 million funding cut to call-taking and dispatch services, are in a state of crisis?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:14): The answer to the opposition’s question is no.