The decrepit state of Victoria in 2023 is far, far worse than it was when Labor was dramatically booted from office in 1992 amid a collapsing economy and public debt of $32 billion.

By the time of the next Victorian election in 2026 – public debt will be north of $165 billion.

Back then, Labor’s hapless Premier, Joan Kirner, was dumped after trashing the state economy, triggering a slanging match between her and her Treasurer, Tony Sheehan, about how to deal with the shambolic state finances.

Jeff Kennett swept to office and rapidly set about restoring the economic fortunes of Victoria and pride in the once great state – the so-called jewel in the Liberal crown.

Ask Victorian voters today to reflect on the place in which they live and they’ll tell you things are worse in public health, mental well-being, aged care, secondary education, crime, housing and overall economic management.

They’ll also tell you that Andrews likes to ‘talk tough’ but behind his tiresome media performances, all areas of greatest concern to voters are falling backwards. Victorians feel worse off than they did when Labor came to office.

Fed-up voters’ descriptions of the Victorian Labor government range from ‘corrupt’ through to belligerent, arrogant, uncaring and untrustworthy. They see the Premier as simply going through the motions … doing and saying anything that will shield him and his administration from scrutiny or accountability.

The 9-year-old government survives on a base of burgeoning debt (more than $140 billion mid-way though its term) while delivering cost blowouts on everything it touches.

Andrews himself touts the state’s road and rail projects (eg metro-tunnel) as his signature works, but overlooks that any bozo can build and promise anything if they keep borrowing other people’s money.

For Labor’s comical Treasurer, Tim Pallas – encouraged by his ‘great leader’ Daniel Andrews – the money pit is bottomless.

Not only is Victoria broke, the state is also friendless domestically and internationally, thanks to government mismanagement on a wide landscape.

Under the risible pretence of financial rectitude, Andrews hastily announced the dumping of a core election promise for Victoria to host the 2024 Commonwealth Games and to do so in regional centres around the state.

As a result, Victoria has provided the world with a solid reason not to be trusted as an investment destination. Victoria’s political leaders are rubbished by numerous local and offshore corporate, sporting and media figures who regard Labor as little more than a self-serving, indulgent closed shop.

The Andrews’ schtick has exhausted itself. With even his so-called ‘senior’ Ministers kept largely hidden from the public eye, Andrews’ media performances are increasingly repetitive, ludicrous, and tiresome.

The government repudiates scrutiny of any kind, whether it be senate committees, opposition questions or media investigations. In full bluster, Labor reckons their government is beyond reproach.

The electorate is asked repeatedly to accept that because the state opposition is weak – the government is therefore strong, competent and trustworthy.

Voters who supported Labor at the last election in large number are now questioning what they’re getting for their support.

The decision of the Albanese government to not use the mechanism of a Royal Commission to investigate the management of Covid reveals to all the power state Labor premiers now have over their federal counterparts.

As voters were reminded by disease specialist Professor Peter Collignon – Victoria ‘locked down harder and meaner than any other state yet had the worst rate of infection, death and economic ruin – especially in comparison with NSW’.

For this, Andrews and his Queensland counterpart Annastacia Palaszczuk, who faces an election in 2024, will escape any form of meaningful scrutiny in the ‘Clayton’s’ Covid inquiry announced this week.

It could just be that both Albanese and Andrews have this week laid the groundwork for the demise of their respective governments.

Treating voters like fools is hardly smart politics.

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