Victorian Opposition leader Michael O’Brien says the “big losers” in the state budget are taxpayers and the people who are trying to get work.
It comes after the Victorian budget - handed down on Tuesday - revealed the state government’s net debt levels are just under $155 billion within the next three years, while the state is forecasting a record $23.3 billion deficit.
“We’ve got a jobs crisis in Victoria at the moment, one of five Victorians who are of working age either are out of a job or can’t get enough hours,” Mr O’Brien told Sky News host Peta Credlin.
“Under this budget that’s been brought down today, Victoria will continue to have higher than average unemployment for each of the next four years.”
Mr O’Brien said Premier Daniel Andrews has “effectively run up the white flag on jobs”.
“Andrews says ‘well if you’re not wearing a hard hat, we’re not going to do anything for you, if you’re a small business person, if you’re a sole trader we’re not going to do anything for you’,” he said.
