From the desk of ROLAND ROCCHICCIOLI

FOR the majority, the fiscal minutiae of government is bamboozling. We trust in the pecuniary stratagems of elected representatives and public servants. It is a voter’s blind faith — and not one which should be taken wantonly, or lightly. Pecuniary manipulation by any elected legislature is tantamount to treason — a defrauding of the Commonwealth!

In a disturbing press release, the Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, reasons Victoria requires a Royal Commission into the $15-billion CFMEU scandal linked to Victoria’s major projects.

Mrs. McArthur conjectures: “The scandal represents the most serious corruption case in Victoria’s history, and potentially the nation’s history. At least $15 billion has been lost from major projects under the Allan Labor Government. Some reports estimate it may be as much as $30-billion. That equates to well over $5,000 per Victorian household.

“We now finally know that the Labor Party’s 65th new tax is a corruption tax. The heavy burden of Labor’s 64 new or increased taxes is one thing, but with a hidden corruption tax Victorians are feeling the pain of a cost-of-living created by obscene maladministration and mismanagement at a government level.

“Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said, “There is no wonder the International Monetary Fund is warning that Victoria is at risk of a federal bailout. All the while, we hold one of the lowest credit ratings in the country. Victorians are paying the price for Labor’s failure of integrity and oversight.”

“Jacinta Allan claimed that she knew nothing about this widespread corruption prior to headlines breaking in 2024, however that is simply untrue. Members of the Labor government have been aware of this since at least four years earlier in 2020.

“It has further been reported that in 2024 Premier Jacinta Allan referred aspects of the matter to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission despite the body lacking any power to properly investigate this particular issue.

“If that referral was made knowing it would not result in meaningful investigation and would instead be a way of covering-up the Labor Party’s actions, then it raises dire concerns about the state of accountability and transparency within this tired and incompetent Labor government.

“The allegations are deeply disturbing. Money is alleged to have been diverted to organised criminals and underworld figures. It has even been reported that this corruption extended so far as to funding “state sponsored strippers” on government construction sites.

“This corruption is the most serious in the country’s history. Victorians deserve the whole truth and all the truth. A Victorian Liberal Nationals Government will establish a Royal Commission and a construction sector watchdog to track down taxpayer money lost to corruption on government construction sites and ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

The Labor government’s wasted $600-million on the abandoned Commonwealth Games suggests a profound lack of fiscal expertise. In simple terms — “someone failed to do their sums!” Victorians were assured the West Gate tunnel would be funded primarily through private investment and toll extensions — rather than direct state funding. From $400-million, the Victorian taxpayers’ final cost now exceeds $4 billion. Justification notwithstanding, the total building cost estimate of $5.5-billion is potentially $12-billion.

It would be churlish to carp at incumbent governments for investing in infrastructure and inventing the state’s future, however, there is an expectation those in-charge of the purse strings will not fail us! Regardless!

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