The State Budget has been delivered with the Labor Party pitching billions more in health, education and cost of living relief, which includes a new school in Officer.
The 2025-26 State Budget was handed down by Treasurer Jaclyn Symes on Tuesday, who boasted upwards of $10 billion invested in schools, hospitals and relieving pain in the hip-pocket.
Though the State Government highlighted the balance will enter an operating surplus this financial year, net debt has continued to soar, with a projection of over $194 billion by the 2028-29 financial year.
Brunt Road Officer will receive a new specialist school, to open in 2027, as part of a $1.5 billion injection for new schools to finish off the State Government’s promise of 100 new schools by 2026.
New hospitals and equipment make up an $11.1 billion investment, which includes new community hospitals in Pakenham, Cranbourne and Phillip Island.
In partnership with the Federal Government, a $1.2 billion road blitz has been confirmed after the re-election of the Albanese Government which includes an upgrade to the Princes Highway intersections with Brunt Road in Beaconsfield and McMullen Road in Officer.
Fixing potholes is a key highlight with budget allocating $976 million to deliver the “Better Roads Blitz” across the State.
There will be four new rounds of the Power Saving Bonus and a once-off $400 School Saving Bonus for parents as part of $2.3 billion worth of cost of living relief.
After three level crossings were removed and two new train stations were constructed in Pakenham last year, the final change to the Pakenham line will be the opening of the Metro Tunnel, for which the State Government announced $727 million to switch on the increased services.
On top of this will be $52 million for regional train services, including the delivery of 40-minute services on the Gippsland line to and from Traralgon.
As announced in the lead-up to the budget, young people under 18 years old will be able to ride public transport for free from 1 January 2026, and seniors can ride for free on weekends.
The balance will enter a $600 million operating surplus, the first surplus post-pandemic.
The spending is backed by savings, which includes restructuring in the public sector which will reportedly affected around 1,200 public sector roles and $3.7 billion GST windfall.
However, Opposition leader Brad Battin said Labor has “cooked the books.“
“This is a budget built on lies, fantasy forecasts and spiralling debt. Labor has run a cash deficit, and Victoria’s debt is now set to blow out to $194 billion by 2028-29 – knocking on the door of $200 billion. That will be $28.9 million in interest every single day paid by all Victorians – or $10 billion every year,“ Mr Battin said.
“That’s why we are seeing crumbling roads, record hospital waitlists and Labor cutting $2.4 billion from our public schools. Victorians are paying more and getting less.”
