Labor’s long list of broken promises revealed: See lists here

From a regional Commonwealth Games to fast rail and a Premier who pledged to serve his full term, then abruptly quit — we look at the promises Labor has made, and where they are at now.

A turbulent year has passed since Labor was re-elected in Victoria, punctuated by the resignation of Daniel Andrews and the axing of high profile promises.

Premier Jacinta Allan has heralded new laws to revive the State Electricity Commission and free degrees for nurses as among the government’s achievements since it won a third term, and told the Herald Sun “we’re getting on with building the schools, hospitals and transport connections Victorians deserve”.

But Opposition Leader John Pesutto said Victorians had “every right to feel let down by the litany of broken promises by Labor since the election”.

He said the biggest breach of trust was the Commonwealth Games “con” to host a 2026 event in regional Victoria “which was central to Labor’s re-election strategy”.

A contract for the 2026 Games was signed in April last year, just a few months after the last Covid-19 lockdowns were lifted, and the government trumpeted the deal as a boon for country towns due to an expected $3bn in economic benefits that would be spread across the state.

Mr Andrews said at the time it would be “great for jobs, hospitality, and our economy” and candidates at last year’s election used it to spruik Labor’s credentials.
But in July this year, the government axed its own deal, wasting $600m that was either already spent or were costs associated with cutting up a contract.

It claimed the event would cost as much as $7bn to host.

Geelong Fast Rail is another high profile project scrapped, despite Mr Andrews promising in 2020 to have shovels in the ground within “just a few years” and slash travel times to 50 minutes.

Daniel Andrews leaves his house on his last day as Premier. Picture: Josie Hayden

There were to be no Geelong fireworks for a 2026 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Supplied

The government now says the project doesn’t stack up.

One of the biggest shocks of the past year came in September, when Mr Andrews pulled the pin on his political career after almost nine years as premier, despite promising at last November’s election to see out the term if re-elected.

He said when announcing his decision to retire that “I changed my mind”.

“There’s an old saying in politics — go when they are asking you to stay,” he said in September.

Ms Allan, who took over as Labor leader, told the Herald Sun that the government “haven’t wasted a moment getting on and delivering the things Victorians voted for last November”.

“In just one year, we’ve made studying to become a nurse or midwife free, rego is now free for apprentice tradies, we’re getting on with building the schools, hospitals and transport connections Victorians deserve – and we’ve officially brought back the SEC,” she said.

“There’s always more work to do, and with every promise we made to the community at the election funded in this year’s Budget, we’ll continue our work to deliver the things that Victorians care about.”

The State Electricity Commission was a major platform for Labor in the lead up to the 2022 state election, with Mr Andrews repeatedly taking aim at private sector profits in the energy sector.

Mr Pesutto said Labor had promised before the last election to lower energy costs with the return of the “much-hyped SEC”, but power bills had increased by 25 per cent this year.

“A year on, the SEC has done nothing to lower prices or build more renewable energy for our future,” he said.

A render of the Melbourne airport station as part of the proposed Melbourne airport rail link.

Extra taxes have also been introduced, including a payroll tax on non-government schools, a new slug on investment properties, and a vacant land tax that hits holiday homes.

These were included in Labor’s May Budget, which included a plan to pay down $31.5bn in what it called “Covid debt”, as the state’s total gross debt heads towards $200bn.

Mr Pesutto said people were entitled to feel let down as a result of the sudden changes in policy direction taken by Labor.

“The Premier has also reneged on Melbourne Airport Rail Link and Geelong Fast Rail amid more cost blowouts and delays across Victoria’s major projects,” he said.

“During a cost of living crisis, Victorians continue to pay for Jacinta Allan’s waste and mismanagement through record taxes and debt. She can’t manage money and Victorians are being punished for her incompetence.”