Overview
- Government modelling sent to The Age says reaching a cash surplus by 2032 would need $26.4 billion in savings, or more than $43 billion once forgone revenue from promised tax and levy changes is counted.
- A cash surplus means funding infrastructure without new borrowing, unlike an operating surplus that covers day‑to‑day costs, and Victoria still forecasts $30.5 billion in cash deficits over the next four years.
- The Coalition calls Labor’s figures a scare campaign and says the $2.775 billion a year forgone‑revenue estimate is overstated and ignores offsets such as restoring the Fire Services Property Levy.
- Opposition Leader Jess Wilson points to a hiring freeze that exempts health and education, a plan to recruit 3,000 police, payroll and land tax cuts, and efforts to curb waste and corruption on major projects.
- Economists warn the target likely needs major project cuts, yet the Suburban Rail Loop has $13 billion in signed contracts and about $4 billion in federal funding, limiting quick savings.