Budget deficit widens, surplus unlikely for three years
There were few surprises in today's budget, with the vast majority of measures having already been announced in the weeks leading up to today. And when it comes to major infrastructure projects, further surprises appear pretty unlikely. That's because the existing list of projects, including things like light rail Stage 2A from the city to Commonwealth Park, are considered by the government to have put industry at 100% of its capacity already. With an election looming, stability and continuity is the picture the government wants to project. Contrast the opposition was to act like rail to Woden and take a different approach to issues like cost of living relief, health and housing. But far from signalling an end to spending announcements for the immediate future, from today announcements and rhetoric will only ramp up as the major parties work to win over voters in the lead up to the October poll.