<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victorian"><span>Victorian</span></a><span> government has unveiled its pre-election budget, delivering its first operating surplus in seven years under the promise of "a household with a bit more room at the end of the week".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treasurer Jaclyn Symes commended her second budget to parliament today, committing to lowering cost-of-living pressures on families and shrinking Victoria's debt as a percentage of the economy over the forward estimate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In her address, Symes acknowledged financial security no longer comes down to working hard and vowed to provide "real help, right now".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ballina-boating-accident-three-dead-search-under-way-after-northern-nsw-boating-tragedy/974d7967-1138-4fdb-8b99-f8bc374c4a43" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'Heroes' hailed as investigation into triple fatal rescue launched</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For a long time in this country, there's been this basic deal," Symes said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That if you work hard, do the right thing, and look after your family... you'll have the opportunity to build a decent life.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But for too many Victorians, particularly families, that basic bargain no longer feels secure."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victorian-budget-winners-and-losers-jacinta-allan-jaclyn-symes/84abc86e-50f1-471b-a3d9-8dd8b980671d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>With nearly all of the commitments announced in the lead-up to budget day, surprise sweeteners were nowhere to be seen.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>State debt continues to loom as a razor-sharp thorn in the Allan government's side as Labor vies to secure a fourth term in November.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here are the winners and losers of this year's Victorian budget.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><strong><span>Winners</span></strong></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Households</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year's budget pledges "a cheaper trip to work. A lower rego bill. A child getting to school for free. A family saving money on dental care, glasses, kinder or energy bills".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victorians can claim a 20 per cent cash back on vehicle registration, providing up to $186 back per driver, in a mammoth $750 million spend.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Commuters will continue to benefit from free public transport until the end of the month, before fares are halved for the remainder of the year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Public transport fares will also continue to be waived for children, under an initiative announced in last year's budget and effective from January 1.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some $100 million has been thrown at more bus services across pockets of the state, and $673 million will go towards bringing in 25 new X'Trapolis 2.0 trains.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Students</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Families can continue to access free kinder for their little ones.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than $760 million has been pledged for new or expanded schools, with another $294 million for upgrades of existing facilities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That's expected to encompass four new school builds, 31 school upgrades and funding for three new TAFE centres.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Students with disabilities will be assisted with $2.2 billion for improved accessibility, additional specialist staff and teacher training.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Hospitals</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A suite of hospital announcements includes $95 million to open the upgraded Werribee Mercy Hospital Emergency Department, which will help treat 25,000 more patients.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some $44.8 million will be allocated to the redeveloped Angliss Hospital.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The long-awaited Pakenham Community Hospital will receive $19 million to support its opening.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another $87.2 million will go towards the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Craigieburn hospitals to open or expand services.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government has thrown $95 million to open the upgraded Werrribee Mercy Hospital ED, allowing treatment of 25,000 more patients every year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sick Victorian children will be supported by a $50.1 million commitment to fund 4000 additional planned surgeries.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The state will endeavour to deliver 45,000 more specialist clinic appointments for kids, at a cost of $16 million.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>Motorists</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A record $1.04 billion cash splash will go towards rebuilding, repairing and resurfacing roads across Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government has committed to fixing 200,000 potholes and the same number of graffiti tags.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than two-thirds of those funds will target regional Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Home buyers</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today's state budget extends a discount on stamp duty for Victorians buying off-the-plan apartments, units and townhouses for another six months, at a cost of $32.7 million.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That scheme was due to expire in October, two years after it was announced, but will now apply to contracts signed before April 21, 2027.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The deal allows buyers to deduct construction costs from the total value of their property, which is used to calculate stamp duty.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><strong><span>Losers</span></strong></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Petrol vehicle drivers</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Petrol prices in Victoria are predicted to average $2.30 per litre in the June quarter, before declining to around $2 per litre by the end of 2026, according to the budget papers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This incorporates Commonwealth, state and territory government initiatives to lower the retail price of petrol, notably by reducing fuel excise duty from 1 April to 30 June 2026," the budget papers read</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those figures indicate a hike at the bowser in the coming months, will the reduced fuel excise currently soothing prices to around $1.80 per litre for unleaded.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Debt levels</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite the government proudly declaring its first post-pandemic operating surplus, debt continues to grip the state.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Net debt is expected to nudge $200 billion by the 2029/30 financial year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That would create an interest bill of $32.38 million every single day, up from $18.59 million in the 2024/25 financial year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Debt currently makes up 24.9 per cent of the economy in the 2026/27 financial year, which the government plans to shrink to 24.4 per cent by the end of the decade.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Project blowouts are also hampering the state's efforts to drive down debt.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year's budget papers concede the state will fund the remaining $11 billion in value-capture on the Suburban Rail Loop with "up-front debt".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The revenue from these five value-capture mechanisms will repay up-front state borrowing over a 40-year period."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That means the project won't be paid for until 2070, casting major concerns over interest costs associated with the bill.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The cost of redeveloping seven public housing towers in Albert Park, Flemington, Kensington, North Melbourne, Prahran and St Kilda has grown by $344 million.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Yet, Symes was adamant the state's debt meant "building productive infrastructure" and supporting economic growth.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Taxpayers</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government has boasted "no new taxes" this year, but the budget's statement of finances shows tax revenue is set to soar to record levels.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The state raked in $38.9 billion in taxes in the 2024/25 financial year. That number is set to surge to $50.2 billion in 2029/30.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Of that, Victorians are expected to pay $1.39 billion more in property taxes by 2029-30 and $512 million more on vehicle registrations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Goods and services taxes will increase by $2.8 billion before the end of the decade, up from $15.89 billion in 2026/27 to $18.69 billion in 2029/30.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those figures suggest taxation will grow at a much faster rate than the overall economy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Public sector wages will balloon by $7 billion over the forward estimates, despite government efforts to give spending in the sector a haircut by reducing non-frontline service roles.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>