New retail sales figures released today by the ABS further underline the cost-of-living crisis as the Allan Government continues to tax Victorian households and businesses.
ABS retail sales data indicate a sharp 3.2 per cent drop in Victoria's retail turnover for the month, just one of many indicators that the cost-of-living crisis under Labor continues to hurt Victorians.
As students return to school this week it now costs families more to send their child to a government school in Victoria than anywhere else in the country. The cost of energy bills has also soared by 25 per cent at a time when Labor promised to slash energy prices.
Grocery prices have also risen as high as 11 per cent for basics in the space of a year, making the weekly shop unaffordable for many Victorian families.At a time when Victorians can least afford it, Labor continues to punish people with more taxes.
Labor has introduced 53 new or increased taxes and charges on just about everything since coming to office, including on health, schools, housing, jobs, rents and even holidays - each one adding to the cost-of-living in Victoria.
The figures show that Victorian household disposable incomes suffered the biggest fall in the country, with Victorians $1100 worse off than those living in New South Wales.
Furthermore, according to Treasury's 2023 December Budget Update, things are also set to get worse with Victoria's economic growth forecast to slow over the next few years meaning Victorians will continue to struggle under Labor's cost-of-living crisis.
Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell, said: "Today's ABS data is another red flag for our economy. Victorians are clearly making spending cuts and struggling to keep up with the rising cost-of-living.
"At a time when Victorians are struggling to pay the bills, Treasurer Pallas today that "Victorians are confident about the future', showing he is out of touch.
"While Victoria's economy should be leading the country, Labor's policies of higher taxes and higher regulation suppress aspiration, innovation and investment and will ultimately continue making life harder for Victorian families, singles and businesses."
