Labor postpones Victorian budget

THE state Labor government has delayed releasing its 2019/20 budget until after the federal election, claiming it would be “irresponsible” to do so because of the “stark differences” between both major parties if they formed government.

The state Opposition has slammed the move, with Deputy Opposition Leader Peter Walsh calling it a “shameful abuse of the Victorian Parliament”.

In a statement issued by the office of Treasurer Tim Pallas last week, Labor said the budget would be handed down on May 27, nine days after the May 18 federal poll.

“Until we know who we will be dealing with in Canberra, it would be irresponsible to finalise our budget at this time.

“Only one side is currently putting forward a real partnership with Victoria.

“Federal Labor is promising to partner with our state to roll out three-year old kinder, put more funding into our schools and hospitals, build the Suburban Rail Loop and properly fund the NDIS.

“In stark contrast, the Liberals are shortchanging Victoria when it comes to infrastructure, clawing back money from our hospitals, not funding our schools fairly and hoarding money from the NDIS to prop up their bottom line.”

Mr Walsh said the delay was “a cover up by an arrogant Premier who is using the Victorian Parliament to electioneer for his Labor mates in Canberra”.

“What doesn’t the Labor Government want regional Victorians to know?

“Is it that Daniel Andrews plans to make further cuts to spending on regional roads and infrastructure and will continue to ignore desperately-needed upgrades to hospitals and schools in regional Victoria?

Or that Labor will go ahead with its plans to axe the Regional Development Fund which has invested $1 billion into country communities?

“Daniel Andrews is treating the Victorian Parliament like a campaign tool for the Labor Party.”