The Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh has slammed the Victorian Labor Government’s 2017-2018 budget.
“For the third year in a row, Daniel Andrews has arrogantly dished out scraps off the table for the regions,” Mr Walsh said.
As Shadow Agriculture Minister, Mr Walsh said: “Farmers will be appalled to see Labor has slashed $32 million out of the Agriculture budget. Fears that Agriculture would be swallowed up within the super department look to be true, as no amount of Labor spin can hide this drop in spending.”
He said there was no new capital investments for Victorian country hospitals; and no money for new police stations or additional police officers.
“The Country Roads and Bridges Program still hasn’t been restored despite the appalling state of our country roads,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Budget also confirms that despite bragging about a surplus, Daniel Andrews won’t spend a cent of State money on his hoax regional rail announcement and Federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester will now be asked to fix Labor’s mess.
“In fact, for a Government flush with cash after the sale of the Port of Melbourne lease, the lack of new State-funded initiatives for regional Victoria is massively disappointing.
“This Budget is about politics, not people, and yet again Daniel Andrews’ contempt for the country is obvious despite Labor’s tricky spin.”
