Backroom Baz: Budget clearly a taxing time for Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas

Treasurer Tim Pallas had the post-budget Victorian Chamber lunch crowd in stitches last week when he denied Victoria was the highest-taxing state.

Baz was surprised when Pallas admitted to indulging in some self-care therapy at the post-budget Victorian Chamber lunch on Wednesday. Picture: David Geraghty

Tim Pallas called this year’s budget, his ninth, his toughest yet. And why wouldn’t it be? Victoria is hurtling towards record debt, Pallas imposed a bunch of new taxes, and still that debt will skyrocket to unprecedented levels.

Still, Baz was surprised when Pallas admitted to indulging in some self-care therapy at the post-budget Victorian Chamber lunch on Wednesday. He was desperate to get something off his chest, taking the media to task over claims Victoria was the highest-taxing state.

Now, let’s be clear, this is not a claim of the media’s making. Business Council of Australia chief Jennifer Westacott said this week “Victoria is already the highest-taxing state in the country”.

ABS data released recently showed Victoria is paying more per person in tax than any other state in Australia, with the Andrews government and councils pocketing an extra $7.3bn in land tax, stamp duty, rates and other charges last financial year alone.

The total amount collected by the Victorian and local governments was $36.9bn, up from $29.6bn the year before – a staggering 24.6 per cent increase. But Pallas isn’t having it. He had the 400-strong crowd in stitches with his denials of the claim.

But as legendary public servant Sir Humphrey Appleby argued so well, any data can be skewed to suit a purpose.

Tarneit MP Dylan Wight took on western suburbs medico Dr Joe Garra.

Say it ain’t so, Joe

Were things a bit testy inside the government this week?

Perhaps a case of post-budget blues. Surprising, given multiple sources told Baz the government was fairly happy with the public reception the budget received, fearing it could have been a lot worse.

Across the daily papers on Wednesday morning the headlines screamed: “Dan-made debt disaster”, “Pallas bets the House”, and “Dan’s ‘decade of tax’ sentence”. Baz wonders how much worse it could have been.

Still, it seems a few MPs remained on edge. Take Tarneit MP Dylan Wight, who started a mini pile-on on western suburbs medico Dr Joe Garra, who ran as an independent for Point Cook at last year’s election. Wight accused Garra of lying over claims local real estate agents had been fielding calls from investors inquiring about selling homes because of new taxes introduced in the budget.

Well, at the time of the online onslaught, the REIV, was telling a parliamentary committee investors were increasingly exiting the rental market, warning of “disastrous” effects. Baz chalks that one up as a win for Joe.

Selective memories

A reminder this week that a good communications professional can be worth their weight in gold. Take the Victorian Electoral Commission’s Sue Lang, who jumped to her former boss’s rescue when they appeared before a parliamentary committee probing the 2022 state election.

The now retired VEC commissioner, Warwick Gately, was being grilled over accusations of political interference into the election over his decision to refer former Liberal leader Matthew Guy to the state’s corruption watchdog.

Lang jumped in to stop Gately answering, helpfully reminding him he had been off work sick and therefore would have nothing useful to add. The nothing-to-see-here interjection was successful and the blowtorch of scrutiny was promptly removed from Gately. Job done.

Fast-forward several weeks and a curious correction has been inserted into the official transcript: “Witness later clarified that she misspoke … Mr Gately was not on leave at that time.”

The VEC have told Baz the “simple error” was that Gately went on leave the day after the referral. Will he be recalled? Baz wouldn’t rule it out.

Liberal mates Nick McGowan and Richard Riordan were spotted in parliament struggling with a pair of jumper leads.

Libs lead the way

Baz has seen some political careers needing a jump start in his time. He’s seen some political car wrecks, too. Literally. But never has he stumbled upon such a bona fide mechanical breakdown as he did this week in the parliamentary carpark. Liberal mates Nick McGowan and Richard Riordan were seen struggling with a pair of jumper leads.

Baz has been unable to ascertain whether it was the veteran Riordan giving the new MP a leg-up, or McGowan giving the old hand a rev-up.

The non-election of national ALP president Wayne Swan may be the last straw for many. Picture: Liam Kidston

Holding off on ALP membership

There might be some on edge at ALP headquarters, with the deadline for renewal of ALP membership closing in. Members have just one week left to renew their subs, and sources close to the ground say about 4500 haven’t yet decided to part with their hard-earned. Is the cost-of-living crisis biting, or have thousands of members decided they no longer want what the ALP is selling?

Maybe three years without voting rights has come home to roost? Or perhaps the non-election of national president Wayne Swan the last straw for many.

Guess Who?

Which media outlet jumped the gun, breached a budget embargo, and went live with their coverage a tad early?