Budget boom: The treasurer’s record-breaking cash splash

A record-breaking cash splurge is about to be unveiled as the Andrews Government prepares to woo voters ahead of the November election.

The government will reveal its war chest in tomorrow’s state budget.

Among the headline announcements will be $13.7 billion to be spent on a 12-month blitz on roads, railways and other infrastructure around Victoria.

That $13.7 billion splurge will be more than double the previous record annual spend on infrastructure.

Treasurer Tim Pallas this morning told 3AW big spending was required to deal with Victoria’s fast-growing population.

“But also to take the opportunity of the strongest-growing economy in the nation,” he said.

“We’ve delivered another strong surplus and a solid economic foundation to keep building every corner of our state.”

Mr Pallas’s budget will also show the state’s finances are $1.4 billion in the black in the coming financial year, with annual budget surpluses of $2.5 billion predicted over the next four years.

But he’s not sleeping too comfortably: “A good treasurer is nervous most of the time.”