Victoria remains confident funding will come to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite being snubbed in the federal budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers instead announced $3.4 billion (US$2.3 billion) across ten years for the 2032 Olympic Games in Queensland, supporting venue infrastructure including $2.5 billion to develop Brisbane Arena.
To be shared across a number of regional centres, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will cost Victoria about $2.6 billion.
Reports have suggested Premier Daniel Andrews hopes for a 50-50 split with the federal government after being neglected in infrastructure spending under the former Liberal government.
He remained confident on Wednesday morning more money would come.
He said the Albanese government was one “that knows where Victoria is and knows how important Victoria is.”
“I think the decade of a rip-off is over, and that’s very good,” he said.
Andrews also acknowledged the decade of under-investment by the previous federal government.
“While last night’s budget was not everything, they are positive steps towards a better Medicare,” he told reporters.
“No one budget can deal with nearly a decade’s worth of problems, but it was a positive step.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the federal government’s plan to invest $2 billion in hydrogen energy underscored confidence in the technology.
“It is clear hydrogen is going to be an integral part of the world’s future energy needs, and this represents an incredible opportunity for South Australia,” he said from Germany on May 10.
SA plans to build a hydrogen power plant, electrolyser and storage facility in Whyalla.
Tuesday’s federal budget included a $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program for hydrogen energy production and exports.
In Tasmania, Treasurer Michael Ferguson was pleased with the joint approach to energy bill relief.
His state’s $45 million investment is expected to support 140,000 households and 35,000 small businesses.
“We are pleased, through our continued engagement and persistence in having this addressed as a national issue, we have secured two years of bill relief for Tasmania,” he said.
“We have had funds set aside since February in readiness to provide this bill relief support.”
