Victorian budget
‘Something has to change’: Feeling the squeeze of the Big Build’s big bill
Since coming to power in 2014, Labor has launched an unprecedented transport infrastructure blitz, but it has also saddled Victoria with the highest debt of any state and it’s putting pressure on the government.
- by Patrick Hatch and Broede Carmody
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Taxpayers cop $10m bill for COVID lockdown court battle
The final bill for the class action – brought on behalf of businesses that experienced financial loss because of restrictions – could be much higher, with mediation due to kick off in November.
- by Kieran Rooney and Annika Smethurst
Pallas vows no new debt despite $1.5b health blowout, but stays coy on fresh taxes
Treasurer Tim Pallas warns a failure to shore up the state’s financial position, including bringing down debt, could have serious consequences for its credit rating.
- by Josh Gordon
Lifting rates won’t save cash-strapped councils. Their residents can’t afford it
Victoria’s councils say they are straining under mounting costs, but higher rates won’t help because residents’ capacity to pay is reaching its limit.
- by Mathew Dunckley
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For subscribers
The multibillion-dollar blow primed to hit Victorian taxpayers and the budget
Government agencies will fork out $15 billion a year for insurance claims by 2028, a 36 per cent surge that threatens to rock the state’s already struggling finances.
- by Kieran Rooney
Melbourne in the grip of baby drought as rent becomes ‘a great contraceptive’
A plunge in birth rates in parts of Melbourne is being blamed on a lack of affordable housing and other cost-of-living pressures.
- by Josh Gordon
Doctors look interstate for work as Victorian budget squeeze hits hard
Hiring freezes and job losses at Victorian hospitals are prompting many healthcare workers to look interstate for work.
- by Henrietta Cook
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Victorian Parliament
Melbourne Water tapped the state for extra cash – to pay it back for an unexpected tax bill
The water authority borrowed additional money from a Victorian government entity – and paid interest to the government – so it could pay a tax to the same government.
- by Rachel Eddie
Doctors fear elective surgery lists will blow out again
Victoria blitzed elective surgery waiting lists down after the pandemic, but looming health cuts threaten to blow them out again and force more people to take out private health insurance.
- by Jewel Topsfield
Exclusive
Healthcare
Victoria’s primary care clinics face funding cuts in budget crisis
Priority primary care clinics, promised in 2022 as Daniel Andrews’ solution to the health crisis, are facing cutbacks as the Victorian budget grapples with debt.
- by Rachel Eddie and Kieran Rooney
Mental health programs in firing line of hospital budget cuts
As hospitals continue to search for savings, Victorian mental health programs, including those for children, could be hit with redundancies and hiring freezes.
- by Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/victorian-budget-jop