Victoria’s crippled finances are all Daniel Andrews’ fault
Having resisted any appeals from the federal government for moderation in 2020 and 2021, it is a bit rich for the Victorian premier to look to Canberra now for help in fixing his budget black hole.
Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews deserves full marks for audacity for calling on the federal government to help his state’s crippled budget. Although it is true that Victoria’s state finances are in poor shape, it is also true that this is the state government’s own fault.
Andrews blames the pandemic; but that hit the finances of all states and territories. If the hit was worse in Victoria, it was because of mismanagement and the government’s extreme lockdown remedies.
Loading...
Robert Carling is a Senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies, and a former IMF and federal and state Treasury economist.
