Government performance
Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (09:49): Each sitting week I try to focus my members statement on something positive that I see or experience in my line of work as a member of the Victorian Parliament. Unfortunately, this week I cannot stick to that trend. The Andrews Labor government believe themselves to be full of wonderful ideas, committing to grand gestures, outrageous projects and clever schemes. But, alas, this is all at the expense of the Victorian taxpayer and at the sacrifice of our children’s financial futures and furthermore their children’s economic stability. You see, with Victoria’s current debt at $116 billion and predicted to increase to $234 billion within the next decade, I cannot hold my tongue on the matter any longer. The Andrews government’s money management skills are so feeble that they could not sell a bucket of ice filled with beer to an Aussie on a 45-degree day, let alone come up with a viable strategy to start chipping away at this astronomical bill we are faced with. This state needs a government with real-world experience, a government that knows and respects the value of a dollar, a government that has not been suckling from the taxpayer teat for its entire existence and a government that is not afraid to roll up its sleeves and actually put some hard work into repaying its dues.
I ask that you forgive me for my sassy little outburst, but as you can see, my passion on this matter is but a mere whisper of what everyday Victorians are telling me constantly. These are the people that are the key to saving their state. I demand that the Andrews Labor government start paying heed to their constituents – all of them, not just their band fans. (Time expired)