Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said Tuesday’s State Budget capped off a disappointing week for rural and regional Victorians.
“Firstly, we had the passing of the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund that will rip $765 million a year out of the pockets of Victorian farmers, households and businesses, a tax simply to cover the government’s financial mismanagement.
“Then yesterday we had a budget that has cut agriculture funding by $77.6 million (almost 13 per cent) amid a crippling drought in many areas of the state. The regional development allocation is down 17 per cent from $296.7 million to $245.6 million and road maintenance, the jobs fund and industry and small business have all had major reductions.
“These are the funding streams that assist rural and regional Victoria. This government cuts them while hitting us up with a new tax, which will take nearly $4.5 million annually out of East Gippsland alone.
“Perhaps the most disappointing area is roads, which are in a state of disrepair and needed a major funding boost. To have a further cut in real terms is very disappointing for rural and regional motorists and freight and bus companies,” he said.
Mr Bull said the reality of the situation is you are never going to get a good budget when the bottom line reads the state is heading to a debt of $192 billion and interest repayments of $28.9 million per day, or $1.2 million per hour.
He said one piece of positive news was the announcement to scrap the shambolic free camping program.
“The Budget papers reveal the government will make camping half price, which is a much better outcome and one of the solutions we suggested to the rampant ghost camping.
“This will stop people booking sites and not turning up.
“People with bookings will again have some financial skin in the game, lessening the ghost camping problem and allowing more families to enjoy the outdoors, rather than having multiple sites unoccupied during peak periods.
“I am pleased to see they have at least listened in this regard,” he said.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, reviewing this year’s disappointing Victorian State Budget.
Wednesday, 21 May 2025
