Thread by @timpallas

This has been a year like never before.
And it demands a budget like never before.
Because if this pandemic has been a stark reminder of anything, it is that people matter more than the bottom line.

Yes, there are short‑term costs to the State’s financial position.
But by using the strength of our balance sheet, we are able to protect the budgets of households and businesses across Victoria.

We are putting our credit rating to work when it is needed most – to help Victorians now and into the future.
We are borrowing to make the necessary investments to drive a quicker and stronger recovery.

That is why our focus is on getting Victorians back to work.
And our blueprint for this is our Jobs Plan.
It will ensure an extra 200,000 Victorians are back in work by 2022; and 400,000 by 2025.

To kick-start our recovery, we’re investing a record $2.4 billion to drive growth in key priority sectors.
More and more things will be produced locally and proudly stamped ‘Made in Victoria’.

In 2020, we have announced almost $4.1 billion in tax and fees relief and tax deferrals for Victorian workers, businesses and families.
This Budget confirms a further $1.5 billion in tax relief.

We know the best cities in the world are the ones where you spend more time enjoying life, and less time waiting in traffic.
This Budget builds on our record transport investment with more than $10 billion for better roads and public transport.

We need to front‑up to the inequalities that see women lose more and earn less.
We’re committing $150 million to support businesses to hire 6,000 women through wage subsidies.
And $10 million will go to female entrepreneurs to access startup capital.

This year has underlined the critical role of our teachers and schools.
That’s why this Budget invests a record $5.6 billion in our schools and early childhood education.
We’re upgrading more than 160 schools, giving kids the classrooms they deserve and supporting 6,400 jobs.

This is a Government that has prided itself on making the critical investments today that ensure a better tomorrow.
This Budget invests $1.6 billion to drive the biggest growth in clean energy jobs that Victoria has ever seen.

We know that the twin disasters of the bushfires and coronavirus have hit regional Victoria particularly hard.
That’s why this Budget invests more than $8 billion to turbo charge regional Victoria’s recovery, so our State remains a fantastic place to live, work and invest.

After a year of turmoil, this Budget is the triumph of hope over fear.
When we act together, there is no challenge too great, no prize too unobtainable, for the Victorian people #springst