Budget management in a time of big-spending Victorian election campaign promises

Coalition has pledged $19bn more than the government, while claiming it is the better economic manager

• Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast

For decades, the Victorian Coalition has traded on the idea that it is a better economic manager than Labor. Which makes it surprising to see it has so far pledged $19bn more than the government on election promises, while simultaneously vowing to bring wasteful spending under control".

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), which tallies political parties' election commitments ahead of the November election, shows at the time of writing the opposition has announced 216 promises, of which 165 are funded, at a cost of $24bn.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter and afternoon email to get your daily news roundup