Ms O’Keeffe said there were 2239 individuals on the social housing waitlist, a clear indicator of the escalating crisis.
She criticised the recent land tax increase as only exacerbating the problem.
She also said she was pushing for the completion of stage two of the GV Health redevelopment, emphasising the urgency of completing the facility to provide essential healthcare services to the region.
“Our hospital is incomplete, and this is a matter of urgency,“ Ms O’Keeffe said.
“The government must fulfil its commitment and provide the people in my electorate with the healthcare facilities and services they urgently need.
“Our health services also need a funding boost.
“They should not be asked to cut back and make savings.
“How can you cut millions from local health and hospital budgets without impacting front-line services or enforcing job losses?”
The Nationals member also highlighted a 45 per cent reduction in the budget for road maintenance since 2020, urging the treasurer to restore this funding to address the deteriorating road conditions in the region.
With regional Victoria making up 25 per cent of the state’s population, Ms O’Keeffe has called for a quarter of capital funding to be allocated to initiatives and projects outside Melbourne.
“We deserve to have fit-for-purpose facilities, including a new sports stadium that we have been lobbying for over many years,” she said.
“We need critical investment into infrastructure, services and community organisations to ensure the region’s long-term prosperity.
“It is expected to be a horror budget due to this government’s financial mismanagement, and Victorians are paying the price.
“That money should have been spent on housing, hospitals, roads or a new sports stadium.”
