Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland MP says regional Victorians have every reason to support the Coalition’s motion of no confidence in Premier Jacinta Allan when Parliament returns on 28 July, following years of broken promises, financial mismanagement and the continued neglect of country communities.
Ms Cleeland said the Liberals and Nationals would use the debate to clearly demonstrate why Victorians had lost confidence in the Premier’s leadership and why the Allan Labor Government had failed to deliver for regional Victoria.
“The motion of no confidence is about accountability,” Ms Cleeland said.
“When Parliament returns on 28 July, the Liberals and Nationals will outline exactly why so many Victorians no longer have confidence in Jacinta Allan to lead our state.”
“For regional Victoria, the evidence speaks for itself.”
Ms Cleeland said nothing better demonstrated the Allan Labor Government’s disregard for country Victoria than the more than $1 billion cut to regional infrastructure investment.
“Treasury figures have confirmed infrastructure spending in regional Victoria has fallen from $4.2 billion in 2022-23 to just $3.1 billion in 2024-25. That is more than a billion dollars ripped out of regional communities.”
“At a time when our roads are falling apart, our hospitals need investment, our schools are crying out for upgrades and our communities deserve better services, this government has chosen to cut funding where it is needed most.”
“One in four Victorians lives in regional Victoria, yet we receive just 12 per cent of the state’s infrastructure spending. That is simply unacceptable.”
“Regional Victorians deserve their fair share. Instead, they continue to be overlooked while billions of taxpayer dollars are spent elsewhere.”
Ms Cleeland said the consequences of those decisions were visible every day across the Euroa electorate.
“Our roads are crumbling under the weight of years of neglect. Dangerous potholes are damaging vehicles and putting lives at risk.”
“Families, farmers, freight operators and local businesses rely on safe roads every single day, yet they have watched this government allow Victoria’s road network to deteriorate.”
She said the Premier had also presided over one of the worst periods of financial mismanagement in the state’s history.
“Victoria’s debt continues to climb to record levels while taxpayers are expected to pay for billions of dollars in cost blowouts on major infrastructure projects.”
“Victorians are paying more in taxes and receiving less in return.”
Ms Cleeland said allegations surrounding the CFMEU’s influence over government projects had also seriously undermined public confidence.
“Victorians expect integrity from their government.”
“Instead, they have watched serious allegations of corruption and misconduct surrounding taxpayer-funded projects while billions of dollars have been lost through waste, mismanagement and integrity failures.”
She said the government’s decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games after spending hundreds of millions of dollars had further damaged Victoria’s reputation.
“The Commonwealth Games debacle embarrassed Victoria on the international stage and wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that could have been invested in roads, hospitals, schools and other essential services.”
Ms Cleeland said Victorians were also facing mounting pressures through rising taxes, increasing living costs and growing concerns about crime and community safety.
“Families are doing it tough. They deserve a government focused on delivering practical solutions, not one distracted by crisis after crisis of its own making.”
Ms Cleeland said the no confidence motion reflected what she was hearing from constituents throughout the Euroa electorate.
“People tell me they are tired of paying more while getting less.
“They are tired of watching regional Victoria continually pushed to the back of the queue.
“They are tired of governments making promises before elections only to forget country communities afterwards.
“Confidence is earned through leadership, integrity and results.
“Regional Victorians have watched more than $1 billion cut from regional infrastructure while our roads have been allowed to crumble and our communities have been left behind.
“After years of broken promises and misplaced priorities, Jacinta Allan has lost the confidence of the people I represent.
“When Parliament returns on 28 July, the Coalition will put the Premier’s record before the Parliament and clearly demonstrate why Victoria deserves better.”
