Thursday, 28 November 2024

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (10:45): Labor has been leading Victoria for the past 10 years, so I thought I would share some highlights. Victoria has the highest state debt in Australia, skyrocketing to nearly $188 billion and resulting in interest repayments of over $26 million a day or more than $1 million per hour. We pay the highest taxes in Australia, and Labor has introduced 56 new or increased taxes since 2015. Our roads are falling apart, as they fill over 700 potholes a day. Labor have dropped their housing targets, and over 61,000 Victorians are on the waiting list for social housing. Energy prices are soaring as Labor pursues a ban on gas. Our health services are under pressure, with long surgery waitlists and ambulance ramping. There are ongoing issues with V/Line trains and bus services and a lack of public transport in regional areas. Labor has relaxed bail laws, and youth crime has increased by nearly 29 per cent. There are over 1000 vacancies in the police force, and members are walking out at breaking point. The CFA has a fleet of ageing trucks, and the SES runs on the smell of an oily rag. Our schools are under increased pressure, with over 1400 teacher vacancies, and there are issues with the VCE for the third time in a row. Labor closed the native timber industry and want to lock up our public forests and negotiate cultural heritage and land agreements behind closed doors. Labor likes to control our lives, and Victoria desperately needs a change of leadership. We are now 100 weeks away from the next state election in November 2026, and the choice will be up to you.