News

media releases | August 23, 2017

Kealy - Labor still no plan for population growth

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says a new report has confirmed the Andrews Labor Government has no plan to manage Victoria’s population growth.

The Victorian Auditor-General’s report has found Labor has not co-ordinated planning or implementation of services and infrastructure to cope with population growth.

Effectively Planning for Population Growth, released on Wednesday, highlights particular gaps in the health sector, saying Labor has not done enough to plan effectively for future demand for birthing, maternal and childhood health services and kindergartens.

“Daniel Andrews is standing by and doing nothing as Melbourne quite literally bursts at the seams despite the huge opportunities that exist for growth in regional Victoria,” Ms Kealy said.

“The Auditor-General’s findings are further evidence of the importance of the Liberal and Nationals’ Population Policy Taskforce whose focus is solely on planning for Victoria’s future population growth.

“The challenge for Victoria is not just about the number of people, but where these people are choosing to live and how state government can regionalise this growth for the benefit of our whole state, not just focusing on Melbourne alone.

“There are many success stories of positive population growth and development in regional Victoria, but we need strong leadership and a long term plan so that our wonderful rural communities not only survive, but thrive into the future.

“The Liberal and Nationals are committed to balancing population growth across the entire state.

“Labor has no plan to manage population growth and the Auditor-General’s report confirms it”, she said.