The release of the Silver Review confirms the Allan Labor Government is wasting billions on a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy that continues to fail regional Victorians.
Labor’s Silver Review which remained secret for the past six months was to deliver cost savings, reduce duplication and cut executive government jobs in to reign in the state’s ballooning debt and the cash position.
Labor has said implementing the Silver Review will save $4 billion over four years and reduce the Victorian Public Service (VPS) by 1,000 full-time equivalent roles.
Under Labor, the number of VPS executives has almost tripled, from 675 in 2015 to 1,887 in 2024. While between June 2020 and June 2024, the VPS grew by 7,444 full-time equivalent jobs.
Since the report was handed to the Allan Government in June 2025, Victoria’s net debt has ballooned by more than $7.2 billion.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath said Labor’s claims of budget savings and debt reduction are hollow.
“Labor has created a massive black hole in the state’s finances – $50.6 billion in debt in the past six years and now it is spruiking it will deliver $4 billion in savings in four years.
“Victoria’s budget has been in cash deficit since 2016-17 – the Allan Government is addicted to spending more than it earns and then coming after the hard earned income of everyday Victorians.”
“The interest bill on Victoria’s debt will soon hit $1 million an hour and it’s having a profound impact on health, education, housing, roads and our emergency services.
“It’s disingenuous for Labor to pat itself on the back for realising cost savings that are a mere drop in the ocean – this review was completed six months ago and in this period net debt grew by twice the amount it will supposedly save.”
“Labor can’t manage money, and Victorians are paying the price.”
