2023-04-20
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
"I want to thank Anthony Close for his service to Victoria as the inaugural Parliamentary Budget Officer.
“The Parliamentary Budget Office is an essential piece of the democratic framework in Victoria, providing independent costings and therefore greater transparency around election promises as well as independent analysis of the Budget and the state of Victoria’s finances.
“Anthony Close has been an incredibly effective Parliamentary Budget Officer. Under Anthony’s leadership the PBO has provided invaluable transparency and scrutiny where necessary around government policies and spending and his work has helped non-government parties better engage in policy debates.
“It is extremely disappointing to have him leave the role. Our dealings with him have demonstrated a high level of professionalism and a commitment to the independence of the office.
“The Government has on numerous occasions shown its displeasure at the scrutiny the PBO has placed on them. It is very concerning to see the head of an independent body pushed out by a Labor government seeking to avoid scrutiny.
“For our independent bodies to provide effective oversight and scrutiny they need to remain exactly that – independent.”