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The treasurer says Victoria's economy is improving. Economists say otherwise.


Published on 2024-12-14 12:40:58 - The Age
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  • A widening trust deficit has emerged between Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas and some of Australia's leading economists over the sustainability of the state's finances after his mid-year budget update revealed the government will spend nearly $40 ...

The article from The Age discusses the contrasting views on Victoria's economic health between the state Treasurer, Tim Pallas, and independent economists. Treasurer Pallas has expressed optimism, citing improvements in the state's economy, including a projected return to a net operating surplus by 2025-26 and a decrease in net debt as a percentage of the state's economy. However, economists and financial analysts present a more cautious outlook. They argue that despite some positive indicators, Victoria's economic recovery is lagging behind other states, with issues like high debt levels, slow wage growth, and a sluggish recovery in consumer spending. Critics point out that the state's reliance on property taxes and stamp duty, coupled with infrastructure spending, might not be sustainable in the long term, potentially leading to higher taxes or reduced services. This discrepancy in economic assessments highlights the complexity of interpreting economic data and the political nature of economic forecasts.

Read the Full The Age Article at:
[ https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-treasurer-says-victoria-s-economy-is-improving-economists-say-otherwise-20241214-p5kye3.html ]