Labor’s State Budget has failed Victorian women, with cuts across of range of programs after a decade of financial mismanagement.
In a Budget that purports to prioritise the needs of women and families, Labor has cut:
- Early Child Sector Supports and Regulation – cut by $79 million or 11 per cent
- Wellbeing supports for schoolkids – cut by $34 million or 8.4 per cent
- Child Protection – cut by $141 million or 6.2 per cent
- Family Violence Service Delivery – cut by $29 million or 3.7 per cent
- Women’s Policy – cut by $0.3 million following a $3 million cut in 2023/24
- Public IVF services – cut by $42 million
Shadow Minister for Women, Cindy McLeish, said: “We are seeing the result of a decade of financial mismanagement under Labor, with record taxes, record debt, and now cuts to services that are critical for Victorian women.
“Labor cut funding for family violence services and cut women’s policy funding at a time when women’s safety is a concern for every Victorian. Women will be asking why they should be made to pay the price for Labor’s inability to manage money.”
Shadow Minister for Child Protection, Roma Britnell, said: “At a time when Victoria’s child protection system is in crisis, with the Commissioner for Children and Young People describing it as ‘under-funded, under-resourced and not fit-for purpose’ the Allan Labor Government has now all but abandoned vulnerable children in its care, with dramatic cuts of $140 million to funding for child protection services in the 2024-25 budget.
“Under this budget, and Labor’s fifth Minister in less than two years, the child protection system will continue in crisis mode with vulnerable children and their families the victims of Labor’s cruel cuts to funding.”
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier, said: “As debt hits a record high, Labor has made cuts to public IVF services and hospital budgets, which will leave Victorians waiting longer for vital treatment. Victoria’s health crisis is set to worsen as these cuts lead to service closures and forced hospital amalgamations.
“Further, Labor’s Health Tax will close local GP clinics, end bulk-billing and force even more patients into Victoria’s already struggling emergency departments.”
