[Jade Benham] Labor gaslights Victorians to hide financial mismanagement
TL;DR
The Nationals' Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has criticised the Allan Labor Government for introducing legislation that creates the false impression Victoria's departmental services are working as...
Location
Mildura
The Nationals' Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has criticised the Allan Labor Government for introducing legislation that creates the false impression Victoria's departmental services are working as intended.
Speaking on theEntities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025, Ms Benham said, "This Government is gaslighting Victorians into thinking services are working, while regional communities continue to go without the support they desperately need."
Ms Benham criticised the intent of the Bill, which includes significant changes to key government services. Worryingly, legislation reduces the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission from four commissioners to one, in direct contradiction of the findings of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System.
"The government's treatment of mental health services is nothing short of disgraceful. What is the point of a royal commission if the government has no intention of acting on its findings?"
Ms Benham shared the example of a Mildura family forced to manage a loved one's severe mental illness at home due to systemic failings. Despite repeated attempts to seek help, no treatment plan or ongoing support was provided.
"This is the reality families in the regions face every day. Local and regional mental health systems are already at breaking point. Families are exhausted, carers are overwhelmed, and this government continues to disregard their pleas for help.
"This bill is not reform. It is a smokescreen. It pretends the government's systems are functioning, but in reality it is leaving regional Victorians behind. This is not fiscal management. It is cutting essential services to patch up holes left by a decade of Labor's poor financial decisions. Billions have been funnelled into government worksites controlled by organised crime while regional Victorians struggle without essential services.
"The government is blatantly misleading Victorians. Regional Victorians are fed up, and they deserve better."