The auditor-general has warned that prolonged operating losses and cash deficits are not financially sustainable following a review of the state’s reports for the past financial year.
The state government spent nearly $10 billion on 161 projects – including the Commonwealth Games dispute – using a secretive fund known as the treasurer’s advance.
Alfred and Monash Health run some of the largest hospitals in the state,but an attempt by the government to enforce budgets has had a dire impact on their books.
Analysis of dozens of annual reports dumped in parliament on Thursday found some of Victoria’s busiest hospitals failed to meet their target for available cash.
The blowout in timelines prompted the essential services regulator to warn that water providers were failing to properly forecast costs.
The budget plan to manage pandemic debts by temporarily expanding taxes has led Treasurer Tim Pallas to pull cash from government agencies. Water authorities were targeted the most.
Victoria’s promised economic growth statement,designed to drive economic growth,is not expected to include tax reform. Business and the opposition want more.
Under Victoria’s new activity-based funding formula,regional hospitals receive 6.8 per cent less than city hospitals for every procedure they perform.
Members of the Labor caucus have been told to cut the number of projects they want funded for their local communities and cap them at $500,000 as Victoria’s budget belt continues to tighten.
Victoria’s Environment Department is looking to make 208 people redundant in its bushfire and forest services group,including 118 in forest fire operations.
The department is making late payments to suppliers more than half the time,breaches that should result in financial penalties under state government policy.