The Shadow Budget: How Victoria's Secrecy Culture Exposes its Finances The Auditor General's report into the Rail Improvement Charge (RIC) has exposed a culture of control and concealment in Victorian politics.
At its heart is Premier Dan Andrews' penchant for secrecy, which has allowed him to make crucial decisions without scrutiny from his cabinet or parliament.
This systemic approach to governance prioritizes expediency over transparency and accountability. The RIC, a 1% levy on public transport fares, was introduced without public announcement or parliamentary debate.