SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2026 – Regional communities fear they will bear the cost of Victoria's soaring debt, with new polling showing overwhelming concern about the impact on local services, jobs and future generations.
Victoria's debt is approaching $200 billion and about the same as that of NSW, Queensland and Tasmania combined - with the interest alone costing $24 million a day.
Research* commissioned by independent advocate AMPLIFY found 80% of Victorians living in regional and rural areas rate the state of the budget, including debt, as important to them, with more than half (52%) saying it is very important.
In fact, debt has become the top economic concern for regional voters, nominated by 24% ahead of wages failing to keep pace with living costs (19%).
More than two in three regional Victorians (69%) believe Victoria's debt will affect them personally, while almost three in four (73%) say future generations will pay the price.
State debt has become so pressing that two in three (66%) say debt and government spending will influence how they vote on 28 November.
And it’s also affecting people’s decisions to stay or go. The research found 44% of regional Victorians have considered leaving Victoria in recent years over issues including debt, business conditions and crime, with more than one in five (22%) saying they have definitely considered it.
To tackle the debt, six in 10 (60%) back reducing government spending and 41% want to grow the economy faster, both higher than the statewide result, while just 12% would accept higher taxes and charges, compared to 16% across Victoria.
AMPLIFY Executive Director Martin Codina said regional communities are rightly worried about how state debt could hurt their livelihoods and futures.
“Regional Victorians know that every dollar spent servicing debt is a dollar that can't be spent on the roads, hospitals, schools, roads and services their communities rely on,” Mr Codina said.
“For many regional Victorians, there's a growing sense their communities are being left behind. They're worried not just about the impact today, but about the opportunities that could be lost for their children and future generations.
“Whoever forms government on 28 November needs a credible plan to stop borrowing and start paying down debt, or regional Victoria risks missing out on the investment and opportunities it needs to thrive.”
*WOLF+SMITH independently surveyed a representative sample of 1,500 Victorian voters in September 2026, including 487 in regional and rural Victoria.
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