Neil Angus, a former Victorian Liberal MP, has criticized the Labor government’s new tax measures targeting large businesses and landowners in the 2023-2024 state budget aimed at paying COVID-19 debts. The state incurred a $31.5 billion debt due to the pandemic policies, leading to Melbourne’s longest lockdown and business losses. Treasurer Tim Pallas claimed the government’s COVID debt repayment plan was responsible, but Angus argues the tax reforms for big businesses and landowners would drive them away from Victoria. Economists Gene Tunny and Robert Carling believe attaining a surplus by 2026-2027 is challenging, while tax increases rather than expenditure cuts impede economic growth.