The Victorian Greens have said foreshadowed cuts to preventive health services and rail projects are not inevitable if the Victorian Labor Government has the courage to raise more revenue.
Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Dr Tim Read, said cutting prevention programs may cost us more than we save if it means more people end up in hospital.
The alternative is to raise revenue rather than cut vital services.
As stated by Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Dr Tim Read:
“The Victorian Government has a clear choice in this State Budget: either tax the profiteering big banks and corporations or reduce community health services.
“The Greens have found that a Big Bank Levy could raise between $4.5 and $14 billion dollars over the next ten years depending on the rate that is set.
“It would be unconscionable for the government to deliver an austerity budget while people and the planet suffer, and the big banks and corporations profiteer off the cost-of-living crisis.
“It’s only fair that the big banks, property industry and gambling lobby pay their fair share to help people in need and protect and restore our environment.”
