Victoria’s budget includes few major surprises, but an omission has drawn public criticism from a former Labor MP, according to multiple reports. The sources agree that the dispute centres on something not included in the budget rather than on any newly announced measures. While the articles do not specify additional policy details in the provided excerpts, they frame the criticism as coming from the former Labor MP, who argues the lack of the omitted item is significant. The reports portray the budget as broadly expected in its overall direction, yet nonetheless highlight that particular absence as a point of contention. All three outlets present the same core theme: the budget’s content is largely unsurprising, but the omission is enough to provoke backlash from within Labor ranks, at least as voiced by the former MP. Together, the articles underline that the political reaction focuses on what the budget does not contain, rather than on proposed spending or reforms that are included.