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Reactions to Victoria's 2021/22 budget

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Mental health groups have welcomed the Victorian budget, but business is unhappy about tax hikes.
Camera IconMental health groups have welcomed the Victorian budget, but business is unhappy about tax hikes. Credit: AAP

WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT THE 2021/22 VICTORIAN BUDGET:

STATE GOVERNMENT

"This budget will drive our state's recovery by focusing on the fundamentals, by supporting those still struggling, by delivering care where it's needed most, we will support thousands of jobs at the same time" - Treasurer Tim Pallas

STATE OPPOSITION

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"Given the government tripled the debt when the pandemic struck, where will it turn if there's a financial meltdown, another wave of the pandemic, or some other unforeseen shock?" - Shadow Treasurer Louise Staley

GREENS

"It feels really unfair that the Labor government is trying to save money by making such deep cuts to the public sector, when these are the workers that were so essential to getting us through the pandemic" - Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam

RATINGS AGENCIES

* "We are seeing signs that the state is well placed to begin its fiscal repair in the coming years, and we believe the heightened debt stock levels will be manageable due to the low interest-rate environment" - S&P Global Ratings analyst Rebecca Hrvatin

* "Despite our expectation of a declining risk of sporadic shutdowns as vaccines are rolled out, and the underlying strength of the Victorian and the broader Australian economic recovery, Victoria's debt burden is unlikely to stabilise before the end of fiscal 2025, which further delays the state's capacity to pursue fiscal repair" - Moody's Investors Service vice president John Manning

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

"While we welcome mental health reform which is much needed to deal with systemic issues and the devastating impact of a long and disproportionate lockdown, an approach that pits some Victorians against others by taxing jobs makes everyone a loser" - Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott

UNIONS

* "The piecemeal increase in the budget in per student contact hour funding does not address the funding shortfall" - Australian Education Union Victorian branch president Meredith Peace

* "I will continue to meet with PS (public service) employers to ensure the commitments given about protecting our jobs with JSE (jobs and skills exchange) investment to help build in-house capabilities while wasteful practices like the use of contractors and consultants are ended," CPSU federal secretary Karen Batt

SOCIAL WELFARE

* "The budget strikes a smart balance between funding the urgent support services that are needed right now, and allocating money to protect and empower the state's most vulnerable over the long term" - Victorian Council of Social Service chief executive Emma King

* "Today's budget represents the culmination of more than two decades of advocacy efforts from individuals, carers, families, peak bodies, and mental health professionals from across Victoria" - Mental Health Victoria chief executive Angus Clelland

ENVIRONMENT

"Last November's COVID-recovery budget included historic amounts of investment in clean energy and energy efficiency, and now the focus is on rolling out these transformative projects" - Environment Victoria Campaigns Manager Dr Nicholas Aberle

TOURISM

"The allocation falls well short of what industry was seeking, and, in particular, has not allowed for any additional bid funds for these organisations to compete effectively with their national counterparts at a time when competition will be fierce" - Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani

ENTERTAINMENT

"As an industry, we sought direct financial support from the Victorian government for the hardest hit event industry businesses so that they can survive and so that they can gear back up again. They have been left empty handed" - Save Victorian Events spokesman Simon Thewlis

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