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Victorian Budget 2013-14
Browse Victorian Budget media releases by selecting portfolios on the left.
Please visit the Victorian Budget website for all the Budget papers at www.budget.vic.gov.au
Building for Growth for all Victorians
The Victorian Coalition Government 2013-14 Victorian State Budget invests in major infrastructure and high-quality services for all Victorians, while ensuring Victoria’s finances remain the strongest in the nation.
Premier Denis Napthine said today’s Budget delivered for Victorian families and communities right across Victoria, from metropolitan Melbourne to regional cities and our rural heartland.
“The Coalition Government has committed to delivering State-shaping infrastructure, and provides a record $6.1 billion for major projects in 2013-14 to boost productivity and improve liveability,” Dr Napthine said.
Treasurer Michael O’Brien said responsible economic management had delivered an operating surplus in challenging times while ensuring that borrowings were kept at prudent levels.
“Today’s Budget is about building for growth for all Victorians. Responsible economic management means the Coalition Government can invest in critical infrastructure and better services,” Mr O’Brien said.
Strong and secure finances
- The 2013-14 Victorian State Budget delivers an estimated operating surplus of $225 million, rising to more than $2.5 billion by 2016-17.
- Economy to grow by 2.25 per cent in 2013-14, rising to 2.75 per cent in 2014-15.
- Employment growth to strengthen in 2013-14 with unemployment to fall to 5.5 per cent.
- Net debt is forecast to be 6.4 per cent of Gross State Product (GSP) in 2013-14, declining to 5.4 per cent by 2016-17.
- Without decisive action by the Coalition Government net debt would have soared to around 17 per cent of Gross State Product by 2017.
Investing in State-shaping infrastructure
- $6.1 billion for major infrastructure projects in 2013-14 that will boost productivity and improve liveability for all Victorians.
- The Coalition Government will deliver East West Link – Stage 1 linking the Eastern Freeway to CityLink at an estimated cost of $6-8 billion, creating 3,200 project jobs.
- $110 million in funding for the Port of Hastings redevelopment, boosting the State’s freight capacity.
- Vital transport infrastructure will increase capacity for trade and drive economic growth by improving transport links across Victoria.
Better roads and public transport
- $280 million in additional funding to improve, maintain and upgrade key parts of the road network.
- This includes funding for priority roads on strategic economic routes and in regional Victoria, as well as significant structural repairs to the West Gate Bridge.
- $52 million for early works and planning to progress the removal of another seven level crossings.
- $179 million for a further eight new trains, adding to the seven new trains already funded.
- $300 million will fund an integrated suite of initiatives right across the public transport network to improve services and increase safety for public transport passengers.
Delivering better health care and education
- An additional $426 million in 2013-14 for hospitals and the health system, with $11.2 billion in total for acute health in 2013-14.
- Includes $420 million for elective surgery funding pool and $238 million for training the next generation of doctors, nurses and health professionals.
- Delivering the new Bendigo, Monash Children’s and redeveloped Victorian Eye and Ear Hospitals, with $197 million in 2013-14 and more than $1 billion in total.
- $580 million for the future of Victoria’s education system – $11.6 billion in total towards education in 2013-14, including $203 million in funding for new and rebuilt schools.
Boosting our regions
- $61 million for the CFA to deliver a further 142 fire station replacements and upgrades over the next two years.
- $28 million for infrastructure upgrades, focusing on roads that present bottlenecks to the growth of productivity in regional Victoria.
- $16 million contribution to modernise on-farm infrastructure, increase productivity and expand production in the Macalister Irrigation District, to be matched by irrigators.
- $19 million Earth Resources package.
- $630 million new Bendigo Hospital, $50 million new Waurn Ponds Community Hospital, $81.5 million for regional hospitals and health services and an extra $41.3 million for country schools.
Strengthening law and order
- $78 million to construct and maintain station Protective Services Officers facilities at railway stations.
- $30 million for new and upgraded police stations in Sale and Somerville, to protect local communities.
- $131 million to strengthen Victoria’s corrections system, increasing capacity and addressing demand on prisons.
Protecting the most vulnerable in our community
- A record $1.2 billion investment in 2013-14 in mental health, creating more than 500 jobs.
- $266 million to improve services for families living with disabilities, in addition to more than $300 million committed to the launch of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
- $152 million over four years to improve outcomes for vulnerable children as part of the Coalition Government’s response to the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry.
Keeping pressure off the cost of living
- The First Home Owner Grant for newly constructed homes will increase to $10,000 from 1 July 2013.
- The 40 per cent First Home Buyer land transfer duty concession will be brought forward by six months, from 1 January 2014 to 1 July 2013, applicable to all first homes (whether new or established).
- $21 million concession program for eligible pensioners and veterans for the fairer Fire Services Property Levy.
- $55 million over four years to assist eligible concession card holders meet cost of living pressures associated with energy and water bills and property rates.
