8 July 2015
A Regulatory Impact Statement prepared by Price Waterhouse Coopers and released this week has confirmed what all Victorian businesses and service providers already knew – the estimated costs of the new public holidays outweigh the benefits.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said
The Regulatory Impact Statement confirms that the two holidays which the Melbourne Labor Government “gifted” to Victorians come with an economic cost of up to $898 million each year.
“Add to this increased wage payments of up to $286 million each year and we have another classic example of irresponsible financial policy on the run by Daniel Andrews “ Mr Walsh said.
“When Labor first announced the two new public holidays the Liberal-Nationals Coalition warned of looming business costs and lost productivity.
“Once again though Melbourne Labor’s politically driven agenda has taken precedence at the expense of jobs and economic activity right across Victoria.
“The Melbourne Labor Government is a government making reckless decisions that are bad for jobs bad for investment and bad for Victoria “ Mr Walsh said.