Victoria's Premier started the parliamentary day with a trains announcement, but by question time he was accused of taking the electorate for a ride over the CFA pay dispute.
The government wanted to start pushing its budget agenda through parliament on Tuesday.
But the opposition was more interested in revelations that former federal Labor leader Simon Crean had been roped in to resolve the highly controversial and protracted CFA pay dispute.
There's speculation the fire service could be split in two organisations to separate its professional and volunteers in order to fix a pay deal deadlock created when the federal government changed the Fair Work Act.
Premier Daniel Andrews would not comment on the future structure of the CFA, or how much Mr Crean was being paid for his involvement.
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"We are grateful for the contribution of Mr Crean and the terms of that engagement will be reported in the usual way," Mr Andrews told parliament.
It is understood Mr Crean is still advising the government on the issue.
The government did use question time to boast about it's third budget, that has funding to tackle family violence and continues its infrastructure building program.
Last week's Victorian budget revealed the state government was considering selling off the land titles office.
And Treasurer Tim Pallas has ruled out increasing fees at the land titles office before it is put to market.
"We will not fatten the asset up," he told parliament on Tuesday.
"What we are seeking to do is put some commercial rigour in the way that the land titles office operates."
Shadow Treasurer Michael O'Brien angrily delivered his parliamentary budget reply one week after the financial blueprint was released.
"This is a cowardly budget from a government that's got a lot to hide," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Andrews announced an extra 142 new weekly train services for regional Victoria.
The new services will start from August 27, with 69 a week set for Geelong, while the Bendigo and Ballarat lines will get an extra 18 services a week each.
The 2017-18 budget saw another $311 million committed for 39 new regional carriages and $316 million for V/Line maintenance.
