Labor has had 12 years to fix Victorian roads. Turning to ‘pothole populism’ now may be too late
Summary
Victorian roads in Australia have many potholes, causing car damage and frustration for drivers. The state government is spending less money on fixing roads than experts say is needed, leading to faster road damage and a political issue before the November election.Key Facts
- Potholes are common on all types of roads in Victoria, affecting rural, regional, and city areas.
- The opposition party used potholes as a key campaign issue in a recent local election.
- Many drivers have reported car damage due to potholes, with a rise in insurance claims for tyre and rim damage.
- An auditor general report found 48% of Victorian roads are in poor or very poor condition and worsening faster than repairs.
- Experts say $3 billion a year is needed to maintain roads properly, but the government budgeted only $1.04 billion for 2026-27.
- The government spends much more on interest payments on state debt than on road maintenance.
- Premier Ben Carroll announced an extra $300 million to fix 500,000 potholes by January, delaying some infrastructure projects for funding.
- The situation has become a symbol of government financial problems and is influencing political campaigns.
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