The Victorian Greens have called the Labor Government’s mismanagement of the Commonwealth Games a bit of a schemozzle and a disappointing waste of time and money when the Government could have been focused on cost-of-living relief and building more affordable housing.
The Greens have also called on the Government to commit to follow through with their public transport upgrade projects in regional Victoria, which are still up in the air.
Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said it was disappointing the Government had wasted so much time and money on the Games, when it could have been investing in addressing the housing crisis, to help alleviate the skyrocketing cost-of-living.
She added that the Government needed to get its priorities in order, beginning with an urgent commitment to build public and affordable homes across the state and upgrade public transport.
There is still an open question about whether the planned upgrades to public transport in regional Victoria will happen – such as the upgrade to Ballarat station – and the Greens say the Government needs to follow through and not abandon public transport in regional Victoria.
As stated by Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
“The Victorian Labor Government has wasted too much time and money on these Games, when it could have instead been investing in solutions to the housing crisis, like a big build of public and affordable housing.
“It’s clear this is a bit of a schemozzle, and the Labor Government needs to get its priorities in order and get back to focusing on the immediate issues people are facing, like the severe lack of affordable housing and cost-of-living pressures.”
As stated by Victorian Greens rural and regional spokesperson, Sarah Mansfield MLC:
“Regional communities have been left behind for too long. The Labor Governments’ bungling of the Commonwealth Games has wasted time and resources that could have gone towards addressing regional needs like affordable housing and public transport.
“Right now people across the regions are struggling to find a secure rental, with some being forced to sleep in tents and caravans, and public transport is sorely lacking in so many areas.
“The Labor Government needs to get its priorities in order and commit to upgrade public transport across regional Victoria and build significantly more public and affordable housing.”
