Vic wants infrastructure boost in budget

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has slammed the "Sydney centric" federal government for failing to properly fund infrastructure projects in his state.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas is hoping for more infrastructure money from the federal budget. (AAP)

Victoria is ramping up pressure on the "Sydney-centric" federal government in a bid to grab a greater share of infrastructure funding.

Since taking power in 2014, the Victorian Labor government has been pushing Canberra to get its hands on more funding for infrastructure projects.

It will find out on Tuesday if that long-held wish has been granted when federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg hands down his first budget.

"Victorians have been dudded by the Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison governments," Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas told AAP.

"We are the fastest-growing state and home to a quarter of Australia's population, yet we get just 11 per cent of federal infrastructure funding.

"It's high time - and potentially the last chance - for this Sydney-centric government to deliver what Victorians are owed."

Mr Pallas wants the federal government to stop "hoarding millions" for the DisabilityCare Australia Fund and free up money set aside for the dumped East West link.

He said Victorians have twice rejected the idea, with Labor controversially ripping up contracts for the toll road project when it took power five years ago.

The federal coalition remains adamant it should go ahead.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already announced $2 billion for a fast-rail link between Geelong and Melbourne, with the long-term project reliant on Victoria matching the federal commitment.

But Victoria has accused Mr Morrison of jumping the gun on the project, with the state government already spending $50 million investigating how to make it work.

Victorian shadow treasurer Louise Staley is expecting Victoria will get its "fair share" in the budget but has called on the Labor government to use the incoming money wisely.

"(Premier) Daniel Andrews has already wasted $25 billion in cost-blow outs because Labor can't manage money," Ms Staley told AAP.

Last week Mr Andrews said he wanted to see a greater federal commitment to combat domestic violence.

"There was an announcement just recently of about $350 million for additional funding and while no one is going to be critical ... (that amount) spread across the entire country over four years is less than we boost funding each year, just here in Victoria," Mr Andrews told reporters on Thursday.

"Twenty-five per cent of the country is doing more than the rest of the country combined. Something is out of kilter there."


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Source: AAP


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