Tim Pallas hands down Victoria’s 2022-23 budget

Victoria’s health system is at the heart of this year’s state budget, with the Andrews Government committing more than $12 billon to Victoria’s healthcare system.

Tim Pallas delivered his eighth state budget on Tuesday.

The government says as many as 7000 new healthcare workers will be hired under the plan.

Some $4.2 billion will be allocated to the ongoing pandemic response, paying for rapid antigen tests, protective equipment and for patients recovering from COVID.

There has also been a big investment in the troubled Triple Zero service, with $333 million allocated to ESTA.

An extra 400 call takers will be employed.

$124 million will be given to Ambulance Victoria to help recruit paramedics, and $900 million will be poured into the new Melton Hospital.

To pay for it, the government will be banking on $10 billion dollars in land sales, including the privatisation of VicRoads’ licensing and registration arm.

Taxes will also rise by $6.4 billion, with the government to rake in $4.8 billion from land tax alone.

Major projects have blown out by four per cent, but despite the government spending more than it is earning, Victoria’s debt levels are better than expected at $101 billion.

And with deficit decreasing year on year, the state is expected to be $653 million in surplus by 2026.

“The upswing in the Victorian economy has been nothing short of spectacular,” Mr Pallas said.