2021-04-26
The Victorian Greens have called the state opposition’s budget plan short-sighted and say they will oppose any attempt to return to Kennett-era austerity politics.
The opposition’s plan - which would purportedly get the Victorian Budget back to surplus in five years - would see services gutted and jobs destroyed at a time when communities need them most.
Victorians deserve an opposition prepared to push the government further and faster on climate action, jobs creation and addressing inequality.
Not one hell-bent on taking us backwards with discredited austerity politics.
Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said the pandemic had left countless Victorians out-of-work and faced with increasing housing stress.
She said the way to combat this was through creating jobs in clean energy, housing, public health and community services, not tearing them away.
If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that good secure jobs, good healthcare, good management of public housing and a well-trained public health team are vital. Yet the Liberals want to cut these.
That’s why the Greens will oppose this short-sighted attempt to return to austerity politics.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
"The Victorian Liberals want a ‘return to surplus’ by cutting public services. This means cuts to services and jobs right when the community needs them more than ever.
"The pandemic has taught us that good secure jobs, good healthcare, good management of public housing and a well-trained public health team are vital. Yet the Liberals want to cut the public service, which provides these, which is ridiculous.
"The Greens will oppose any attempt by the Liberals to cut jobs, gut services and introduce Kennett-era austerity, right when people are still suffering."
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“Victorians should have an opposition prepared to push the government further and faster on climate action, job creation and addressing inequality. Not one hell-bent on taking us backwards with discredited austerity politics."