Ministers Statement: Economy

Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I rise to update the house on the success of the Andrews government in safeguarding Victoria’s finances. The annual financial report tabled today shows that Victoria has recorded a strong surplus of $2.7 billion for the 2015–16 financial year. In the first full financial year of this government we have delivered one of the biggest surpluses in Victoria’s history. It is $776 million higher than the revised budget estimate and is proof of the strength of our economy.

These are not shadow figures; they are real figures. They are not adjunct figures; they are real figures. These figures do not purport to be what they are not. In fact they are the real deal, old China! Net debt is lower as a proportion of gross state product and in absolute terms this is a significant change from the previous government, which actually doubled debt, adding $11 billion in its short time in office.

When it comes to jobs, when it comes to surpluses, managing debt and growing the economy, we are better on every front by every measure as economic managers. Victoria is again leading the nation in jobs growth and this was confirmed of course if you looked yesterday at the dwelling completions. This was achieved while our state final demand grew by 4 per cent in 2015–16. This was achieved alongside massive investment. After four soporific years we will remind the Victorian people what it means to have a government that actually gets the job done, and you do not need facial technology to prove it.