Microbusiness Chief Economist Leith Van Onselen accused Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes of making misleading budget claims during a recent public critique.
The dispute highlights growing concerns over the financial stability of Victoria, Australia, as the state faces mounting debt and criticized infrastructure management.
Van Onselen described the Treasurer's statements as "pure gaslighting," he said during a Sky News Australia interview. The economist argued that the Victorian government is misrepresenting its spending priorities to the public.
According to Van Onselen, the largest expense for the Victorian government is not infrastructure or services, but rather bureaucrats and public servants, he said. He further criticized the execution of major state works, specifically citing the suburban rail loop.
"If you actually look at the infrastructure projects that they’re doing, like the suburban rail loop, most of them are garbage, they’re over‑budget, and they’re years behind," Van Onselen said.
These accusations surfaced as scrutiny intensified following the release of the pre-election budget in April 2024. The financial outlook for the state remains strained, with projections indicating that Victoria’s net debt is expected to reach $199 billion [1] by 2029.
The tension between government projections and independent economic analysis reflects a broader debate over the state's fiscal trajectory. While the government presents its budget as a necessary investment in the future, critics like Van Onselen argue that the actual costs of public administration, and failing projects, are being obscured.
“"It’s pure gaslighting."”
The clash between the Victorian Treasurer and the Microbusiness Chief Economist underscores a critical tension regarding transparency in state spending. With debt projected to climb significantly by 2029, the debate over whether funds are being wasted on bureaucracy or inefficient infrastructure projects becomes a central point of political and economic contention for the region.
