Out of balance

South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich states that “the Napthine State Coalition Government is building a better, safer Victoria” (Crime Fighters, News, Opinion, 25 September).
But the overall measure of a good government, Ms Peulich, demands much more than simply taking a tough stand on crime in the community.
The south-eastern suburbs and the municipality of Casey have been significantly impacted by the austerity cuts of the Victorian Coalition government with record unemployment, homelessness, and methamphetamine addiction.
Increased media cries for charity and donations cannot solve a systemic government problem.
During this time, the priority of the Coalition government has always been to maintain a “balanced budget”.
Like the Abbott Federal Government, the Napthine State Government would have us all believe that any government deficits are fundamentally evil and that balanced
budgets are the true measures of success.
The general deterioration of the Victorian (and national) economy over the last four years, however, proves this to be a lie.
The pursuit of balanced budgets has placed the economy at serious risk.
Sustained economic growth, full employment, reduced inequalities and community infrastructure programs depend on government spending not balanced budgets.
John Glazebrook,
Endeavour Hills.