Canberra Liberals:

The ACT Opposition has launched a sharp attack on the Labor Government’s 2025–26 Budget, claiming it prioritises debt repayments over essential public services.

Shadow Treasurer Ed Cocks MLA has labelled the budget “deeply concerning,” citing figures that show interest repayments have become the territory’s fastest-growing area of expenditure — rising more than 25% in just one year. In contrast, health funding is forecast to fall below last year’s levels, despite the introduction of a controversial new $250 health levy for households.

“Interest on the ACT’s growing debt is increasing faster than spending on Health, Education or Housing,” Mr Cocks said. “That tells you something about where Labor’s priorities lie.”

According to Mr Cocks, the Government has now introduced or increased at least 25 different taxes, fees and charges in the past year. He argues that ordinary Canberrans are bearing the brunt of rising costs, while services continue to fall short.

“Canberrans are smart people. The Government can’t dress up a tax grab as a ‘Health Levy’ while cutting actual health spending and expect no one to notice.”

The Shadow Treasurer warned that the budget’s trajectory is unsustainable, saying escalating interest costs are crowding out investment in frontline services like hospitals, schools, and public safety.

“Interest payments are dead money. They don’t treat patients or educate children. They’re just the price of a Government that’s failed to manage the budget for more than a decade.”

Mr Cocks called for an urgent overhaul of the ACT Government’s fiscal strategy, arguing that increasing the financial burden on households without delivering better services is fundamentally unfair.

“When you’re taking more from households and giving them less in return, something is fundamentally broken. Canberrans deserve better.”

The ACT Government is yet to respond to the comments.