Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has ruled out working with One Nation, saying his government does not need coalitions or deals. In an ABC interview marking two years in power, he said youth crime remains the government's top focus. He also conceded more must be done on cost of living, which he described as the top concern for people. A pollster said the LNP would be returned if an election were held now, but warned that cost of living is a challenge. Former premier Campbell Newman said the government would need to negotiate with One Nation.
Victoria will raise its share of public school funding from 70 to 75 per cent of the national standard, but full funding will not arrive until 2034. The state and Commonwealth agreed to fully fund state schools against the School Resource Standard, a benchmark from the 2012 Gonski review. Premier Ben Carroll called it the biggest investment in schools ever. At Pembroke Primary School in Melbourne's outer east, a basketball court has been unused for two years and half the playground is fenced off. School council treasurer James Dunn said the school cannot afford repairs.
Economists are doubting whether the Victorian Coalition can lower several state taxes while still bringing the budget back into surplus ahead of the 28 November poll. Leader Jess Wilson has pledged to scrap the emergency services levy in favour of the former fire services property levy, reduce land tax, end payroll tax on private schools and waive stamp duty for first-home buyers. The opposition claims it can reach a cash surplus by 2032 through a decade-long public service hiring freeze, a pause on the Suburban Rail Loop and savings from an efficiency drive.
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Two economists have warned that Victoria's budget would worsen under a Coalition government, because planned spending cuts are not large enough to offset tax cuts. RMIT professor David Hayward estimates a $9 billion shortfall in the state's finances. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has promised a cash surplus by 2032, partly funded by a 10-year freeze on public service hiring. Independent economist Saul Eslake said the Coalition must explain how it will reduce debt, and called for spending cuts and revenue increases.
Victorian government spending reached $112.1 billion over the past 12 months, $891 million above budget expectations. The rise was driven mainly by public sector wages, which totalled $46.1 billion, and by interest on state debt, which reached $7.9 billion. Premier Ben Carroll said the government wants to reduce debt in a responsible way without hurting frontline services. Opposition leader Jess Wilson said the figures show the state's finances have deteriorated under Labor.
NSW officials have announced a tender for a gas-fired peaking plant to provide backup electricity as the state's renewable energy rollout expands. Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the plants are needed to maintain reliability during periods of low renewable output, forecast to be a shortfall in 2033-34. The move conflicts with federal Labor, which excludes gas from its Capacity Investment Scheme. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey also plans to outline a debt reduction plan aiming to cut state debt by more than $10 billion ahead of the March state election.
Victoria's state budget may suffer if Melbourne's property market stays weak, according to economists. Clearance rates have been poor, and about 42 per cent fewer homes were scheduled for auction than last year. Ahead of new auction laws requiring sellers to disclose reserve prices seven days in advance, only 551 homes are set for auction next weekend. REA Group senior economist Anne Flaherty says lower stamp duty revenue next year is almost certain. The state budget is due in May 2027.
