Budget 2026–27
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:28): (1298) My question is again to the Treasurer. Treasurer, last week you expressed confidence that Victoria would deliver a budget surplus despite the impact of the Middle East fuel crisis. But an operating surplus is not the same as a healthy budget bottom line. Treasurer, will you confirm that when the budget is delivered in May, Victoria’s state debt will be higher than at the end of 2024–25?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:28): Whilst I appreciate Mr Davis’s interest in these important matters, I am not going to use the opportunity to pre-advance the budget. You would appreciate, as I confirmed yesterday, we are in the final stages of pulling that together. We have a focus on the priorities of Victorians, and we know that it is really tough for many families right now, particularly with interest rate increases and the fuel increases, so these are features that will be reflected in the upcoming budget. You will have to wait to see all of those figures in about a month’s time, Mr Davis.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:29): My supplementary to the Treasurer is: last year’s budget promised that state debt in this financial year would reach 25.1 per cent of GSP. Will you confirm that this figure is now erroneous and that the debt as a share of GSP will in fact be greater at the end of the financial year?