@mickhp; re your post which included the points listed below and to which I've responded one at a time:
Victoria's debt when Andrews became Premier in 2014. $15 Billion Dollars)(Victoria's debt in 2024. $188 Billion Dollars and growing). From September 2013 to May 2022 the Federal Coalition quadrupled Australia's debt but had nothing to show for what it had squandered - from $42 Billion in JobKeeper rorts to poor choices of hideously expensive defence equipment which is now having to be replaced and massive tax cuts for Australia's wealthiest 5% [ie. BAD debt - waste / nil return on investment]. The fed Coalition REFUSED to provide a fair share of federal infrastructure funding to Victoria.
In contrast to the profligate waste of the Federal Coalition, Victoria's debt increased due to investment in core public infrastructure [road, rail, level crossing removal, Metro, new hospitals, phasing out of Old King Coal, Wonthaggi Desal Plant etc. - GOOD debt increasing productivity and providing numerous returns to Victorian taxpayers].
In that intervening 10 years you have been spending (wasting) money on frivolous crap. (The Suburban Rail Loop as the prime example). The suburban rail loop should have been built seventy years ago. It's a game-changer for Melbourne's southern and eastern suburbs that will further reduce Melbourne's road congestion and better service the rapidly growing needs of the Monash Uni Education and Monash Health precincts.
The banks are going to demand payment of the debt from the next generation and the one after.(Our kids and Grand kids). Our kids and grandkids will be the main beneficiaries of the new core public infrastructure already coming their way. As with every generation they get to use what earlier generations create and in turn are expected to pay their fair share of the costs of providing core public infrastructure. Melbourne will be home to eight million people by 2055 and the extra three million people will need the core public infrastructure being delivered by the 'Big Build'.
