Vic: Debt cause for concern, opposition says

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2007
Vic: Debt cause for concern, opposition says

Opposition treasury spokesman KIM WELLS says Victorians should be concerned .. when
tomorrow's state budget shows rising debt .. while the government benefits from high taxes.

But Treasurer JOHN BRUMBY argues borrowings are still low as a share of gross state
product at 1.2 per cent.

Mr WELLS says this is not good enough .. as Victorian taxpayers are paying more than
ever in land tax .. payroll tax .. and stamp duty.. and that taxes should be spent building
a desalination plant and on new dams.

But Mr BRUMBY's ruled out announcing a desalination plant in tomorrow's budget .. and
says the government's policy is against building new dams.







Revised budget estimates predict government sector debt will will rise to 2.8 per cent
in 2010 at 7.8 billion dollars .. but a Mr BRUMBY's spokesman says the budget financials
will be in the strongest position they have been in 50 years.

Mr BRUMBY'll deliver the budget in parliament tomorrow afternoon.

AAP RTV kl/dk/paz/bart

KEYWORD: BUDGETVIC WELLS (MELBOURNE)

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