By Emily Chapman Laing
Struggling Victorians can expect little respite from the cost of living crisis under the Andrew’s state budget, according to opposition parties.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the budget offers “real relief on the cost of living“.
“We’re doing everything we promised Victorians we’d do – and we’re not wasting a moment getting on with it,“ he said.
While food price inflation rates have slowed to 8 per cent in March 2023 from 9.2 per cent in December 2023, the extra burden is a weight felt by all.
According to the Australian Financial Review, Victorians can expect up to a 31 per cent rise in household power bills from 1 July.
Australians have been subjected to distended household costs over the past year.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures household inflation in Australia.
In the 12 months to March 2023, the CPI rose by 7 per cent.
Gas and other household fuels rose by 14.3 per cent, while medical expenses rose by 4.2 per cent.
Housing costs saw a 9.8 per cent increase.
Recreation costs increased by 8.6 per cent.
Health increased by 5.3 per cent.
Each of these areas have increased over the last quarter as well, painting a bleak picture for Victorians already struggling to make ends meet.
Research conducted by the Salvation Army revealed 75 per cent of parents using their services are living below the poverty line as they fight to maintain housing and daily living costs.
“I have lost 40 kilograms in the last nine months because all my money goes on keeping a roof over my kids’ heads and trying to keep them in a safe place,” a 55-year-old mother told The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army research found that 93% of respondents in their research are in dire financial situations.
After paying for essential living costs, such as housing, food, utilities, health and fuel, the typical respondent is living on less than $6 a day.
The new state budget has set out a variety ways it plans to contribute to cost of living relief.
Minister for Energy and Resources, Climate Action and the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio says the budget will “drive down power bills“.
The Andrew’s Labor Government will tackle bloated electricity bills by funnelling $400 million into another round of the $250 Power Saving Bonus.
One hundred neighbourhood batteries will be installed in an effort to further drive down energy prices.
Regional Victorians will have access to “fairer“ public transport fares, with regional fares capped at metro prices.
The government will also set aside $50 million for the digitisation of essential government services, to streamline citizen’s communication with important government bodies.
Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Government Services Danny Pearson says Victorians want to get basic tasks done simply and efficiently.
“That’s why we’re working to make Service Victoria a one-stop app for everyday life,“ he said.
“We’re streamlining processes and putting common sense at the front of our services – it’s all about saving time and money for Victorian families and businesses.”
Constituents who menstruate will be delighted to find free period products available in public spaces and government schools.
Fertility care, Veterans and new parents will receive further funding in the new budget.
Apprentice tradies will also get a boost, with $10 million reserved for the delivery of free car registration for bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, electricians, plumbers and other apprentices who rely on their vehicle for work.
Other cost of living changes will offer better access to the natural environment.
“We know cost of living pressures are the reality for many families, so we’re making sure they don’t miss out on exploring the natural environment Victoria has to offer,“ said Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt.
“With half-price camping in National Parks, free entry for kids to our zoos and better parks and playgrounds across the state.”
As housing prices and food costs drain the majority of local’s incomes, other parties have said Labors efforts to fight the rising cost of living simply aren’t enough.
Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto has called Victoria broken under the Andrew’s Labor budget.
“It fails to offer any relief for Victorians when they need it the most and will put Victoria further behind the rest of Australia as a place to work, invest and raise a family,“ he said.
Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell, said this budget will inflict more pain on Victorians already experiencing unprecedented cost of living pressures.
“It’s the wrong budget at the wrong time,“ he said.
“Labor wants to blame COVID, the Reserve Bank and the Federal Government for this brutal budget but only it can take responsibility for this debt driven disaster.“
Shadow Minister for Finance, Jess Wilson said the new budget will punish Victorians.
“At a time when Victorian households, businesses, workers and home buyers are needing support and cost of living relief, they are instead getting a brutal budget of job cuts, higher taxes and cuts to services,” Ms Wilson said.
“A new property tax means higher rents at a time households are already under enormous cost of living pressures.”
The Victorian Greens share the Liberals disappointment in the budget allocations.
“The cost-of-living is through the roof right now, and yet this budget will see thousands of jobs axed,“ said Victorian Greens treasury spokesperson, Sam Hibbins.
