Regional Victorians deserve better roads, stronger health services and lower costs for local businesses, and a Liberal and Nationals Government would deliver this through a 10-year economic plan to repair Victoria’s budget and return it to cash surplus by 2032.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said Victoria had been ranked the worst state in Australia to do business for the third consecutive year under Labor, highlighting the need for a change in direction.
The Business Council of Australia’s 2026 Regulation Rumble ranked Victoria last for business, citing the cost of regulation, property taxes and charges, planning systems and efficiency.
Ms Cleeland said years of rising taxes, growing debt and excessive spending had left businesses facing mounting costs while regional communities continued to miss out on essential infrastructure.
“After 12 years of Labor, Victoria is the worst state in the country to do business, and regional communities are paying the price,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Our local businesses are the backbone of our towns. They create jobs, employ apprentices and support local families, but they’re being asked to do more while dealing with rising costs and unnecessary red tape.
“At the same time, we’re seeing our roads deteriorate, pressure on our health services and emergency services that need better facilities.
“Regional Victorians pay their taxes like everyone else. We deserve a government that puts that money towards the services and infrastructure our communities rely on.”
A Liberal and Nationals Government would deliver a 10-year economic plan aimed at restoring confidence, encouraging investment and easing pressure on households and businesses.
The plan includes:
- Scrapping the Emergency Services Tax on the family home.
- Delivering payroll tax and land tax relief for regional businesses.
- Redirecting spending from Melbourne megaprojects towards local roads and essential infrastructure.
- Introducing a hiring freeze on back-office bureaucrats, with savings redirected to frontline services.
- Reopening conventional gas exploration to help strengthen Victoria’s energy supply.
The plan would also introduce a Charter of Budget Honesty and a real-time spending tracker to improve transparency and accountability for taxpayers.
Ms Cleeland said the plan would complement the Liberals and Nationals’ Fair Share Guarantee, which would ensure at least 25 per cent of new infrastructure investment went to regional Victoria.
“Regional Victoria has spent too long being overlooked while the cost of living and the cost of doing business continue to climb,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We need to get Victoria’s finances back under control, give local businesses room to grow and make sure more of our money goes towards the roads, hospitals, schools and emergency services our communities need.
“On 28 November, voters have the opportunity to choose a fresh start and a government that will put regional Victoria first.”
