55 New Taxes and $200 Billion in Debt After 10 Years: Victorian Opposition Responds to Budget

Victorians are facing 55 new or increased taxes and a record debt of nearly $200 billion after 10 years under the Labor government, the state’s Shadow Treasurer said in a budget reply speech. The Victorian Labor government unveiled its first budget under Premier Jacinta Allan, called “Helping Families,” on May 7. It showed that the net debt is projected to hit $187.8 billion (US$124 billion) by 2027-28, or $67,000 (US$44,720) for every household. Speaking in the Victorian parliament on May 14, Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell said Victorians were “already paying the highest taxes in the country” with “every man, every woman, every child” having yearly tax bills of $585,834 (US$391,062) floating over their heads....