AS the festive season approaches, you could say the Labor government has given our communities a twisted rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
On the first day, there was the abrupt scrapping of the timber industry, which is set to leave hardworking individuals jobless and a once-thriving sector in ruins.
The second day delivered the unwelcome gift of 53 new or increased taxes, burdening Victorians as the most heavily taxed in the nation.
On the third day, despite increased taxes, Labor slashed regional road funding by 45 per cent, leaving our infrastructure neglected.
The fourth day uncovered a broken health system with long ambulance wait times and insufficient resources.
On the fifth day, scarce day care availability added to the struggles of families already facing financial hardship.
The sixth day was all about insufficient investment and bureaucratic hurdles from the Labor Government, which has led to a crippling housing shortage and soaring homelessness rates.
On the seventh day, we witnessed a glaring stat: A surge of more than 15 per cent in the social housing register since 2021.
The eighth day delivered another nasty surprise: our latest energy bills were up, an alarming increase from 25 to 100 per cent.
On the ninth day, hardworking Victorians unfairly copped the bill for local government funding inequities through soaring annual rate notices.
The 10th day was painful, all Victorians receiving a hefty $600 million bill for the Commonwealth Games cancellation.
The 11th day brought a surge in crime rates and an annual exodus of 500 police officers from the force.
On the 12th day, Victorians are left to bear the weight of a staggering daily interest payment of $15 million, a consequence of Labor’s financial mismanagement.
Peter Walsh
Leader of The Nationals
Member for Murray Plains
