Victoria’s political debate over public sector spending and infrastructure management has intensified after fresh details emerged about executive salaries linked to the state’s Big Build program.
Newly released documents show the Interim Director-General of the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) has been approved for a salary package of $739,351 under the Allan Labor Government. According to the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal, the amount sits $166,023 above the maximum of the relevant salary band.
The disclosure has prompted fresh criticism from the Victorian Opposition, which has accused the government of allowing executive salaries to grow while state debt continues to rise.
Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer Jess Wilson said the salaries were disconnected from the pressures facing ordinary Victorians.
“These excessive salaries are out of step with community expectations and under a government I lead, they will not occur,” she said.
Wilson said a future Liberal and Nationals government would introduce a public sector executive pay cap tied to the salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, currently set at $598,248.
“My Liberals and Nationals team has a plan to cap excessive public sector executive pay and hire the 3,000 more police and 200 more PSOs Victoria needs to keep the community safe,” she said.
“Only a Liberal and Nationals Government I lead will restore financial discipline and put the focus back where it belongs.”
The Opposition has also pointed to broader growth within the Victorian Public Service, claiming the number of executives has risen from 675 in 2014-15 to 1,902 by June 2025.
The salary dispute comes as Victoria remains under pressure over major infrastructure spending, with the state carrying one of the largest debt burdens in Australia. Cost overruns and integrity concerns linked to transport and construction projects have become a recurring point of attack for the Coalition.
Premier Jacinta Allan responded by focusing on the Opposition’s proposed spending cuts, arguing they would place frontline services at risk.
“Victorians do not need these hard and fast Liberal cuts,” Allan said yesterday.
“The fact is – you can’t cut that hard without cutting our schools and hospitals.”
The Premier said the Opposition’s proposed $40 billion reduction to the state budget could not be achieved without affecting health and education services.
“Cutting too hard and too fast wrecks frontline services, reduces jobs and shrinks our economy. That’s not responsible — it’s just ruthless.”
“Jess Wilson has just announced a Liberal plan to cut $40 billion from the state budget. But the vast majority of the budget is health and education. So you just can’t make $40 billion in cuts without cutting hospitals and schools.”
Allan also drew on her family’s experience during past public sector restructuring debates.
“My dad Peter was a linesman on the State Electricity Commission,” Allan wrote. “He lost his job because of Liberal cuts. It devastated our family and our community. That’s why I first ran for office. And it still drives me today.”
She defended the government’s economic approach, arguing Victoria was reducing debt while maintaining investment in services and infrastructure.
“Victoria doesn’t need brutal Liberal cuts,” she wrote. “Cutting too hard and too fast wrecks frontline services, reduces jobs and shrinks our economy. That’s not responsible — it’s just ruthless.”
The Premier also criticised a proposal to reduce public service positions.
“One in seven public servant jobs” would be cut under the Liberal plan, Allan said, including health workers, disability workers and child protection officers.
“And we all know they won’t stop there,” she added.
Allan ended with a direct warning to voters ahead of the next state election.
“Take it from me, whose dad learned the hard way, Victorians will pay for Jess Wilson’s cuts.”
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