MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2026 - Victorians doing it the toughest are bracing for the state's debt to hit them hardest, with 3 in 4 expecting it to affect them personally and many losing hope the problem can be fixed.
Research* commissioned by independent advocate AMPLIFY has found 75% of lower-income Victorians** expect the state's debt to have an impact on them personally, including 29% who expect a significant impact, compared with 22% of all Victorians.
More than 8 in 10 (81%) Victorians on lower incomes, most of whom are already struggling with cost of living pressures, say debt and deficit is an important issue, and a third (34%) say it is very likely to factor into their vote at the November election, compared with 30% of all Victorians.
Just 56% of those on lower incomes are hopeful Victoria's debt problem can be fixed, however, compared with 68% of all Victorians.
When asked what the state is missing out on because of its interest bill, fixing local roads and potholes was their top pick.
Lower-income Victorians are already under pressure from the nation’s highest state and local tax burden, with residents paying an average of $6,605 per person in 2024-25, around 10 per cent above the national average.
Recent AMPLIFY analysis also shows interest on Victoria's debt already costs more than the state spends on police, roads, public transport, water, and fire and ambulance services – the basic services Victorians rely on most.
AMPLIFY Executive Director Martin Codina said with Victoria's debt approaching $200 billion and interest alone costing $24 million a day, Victorians already doing it tough had the most to lose.
“Victorians already struggling to make ends meet are worried that Victoria’s mounting debt will make things even harder for them, whether it's through a weaker economy and fewer jobs, higher charges or services that go backwards,” Mr Codina said.
“Interest on Victoria's debt now costs more than the state spends on police, roads and public transport. That's money that should be going into the services families depend on every day.
“It's no surprise so many are losing hope. When household budgets are already squeezed by cost of living pressures, the last thing these Victorians need is to watch $24 million a day disappear on interest.
“A credible plan to stop borrowing and pay down debt is the best way to protect the services that matter most to the people who need them.”
*WOLF+SMITH independently surveyed a representative sample of 1,500 Victorian voters in September 2026.
** Lower income household is defined as less than $50,000 per year.