Victorian Opposition Says State Budget Will Return to Surplus by 2026 if Elected The Victorian opposition has pledged to bring the state budget back to surplus within five years if the Liberal and National coalition wins next year’s election. This announcement by shadow treasurer Louise Staley comes after the Andrews government announced a plan in November 2020 to overturn the COVID-19 induced economic downturn with an unprecedented $23.3 billion budget deficit by the next financial year. Staley told reporters on April 26 that the coalition will overturn the Andrews government’s state deficit through sustained economic growth, reducing government “waste,” and lobbying the commonwealth for a greater share of the GST.