Part 2/8:
Parallel to the surge in business closures, unemployment rates continue to climb, adding to the economic woes. The combination of higher joblessness and failing enterprises underscores a declining confidence in Victoria's economic prospects.
Government Response and Political Denials
The Victorian government, led by Premier Dan Andrews and his Labor Party, dismisses concerns by citing positive employment figures. A government spokesman claims that more Victorians are employed now than when Premier Andrews took office, arguing that population growth (due to immigration policies) accounts for this increase. Critics, however, label such claims as "codswallop," contending that a rising population naturally inflates employment numbers, but does not necessarily reflect a robust economy.