INFRASTRUCTURE (ECONOMICS) – GOVERNMENT POLICY – VICTORIA

Teaching Mandarin in Victorian schools, student exchange top of China strategy

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Original article by Chip Le Grand
The Age – Page: Online : 17-Sep-25

Closer education links with China will be a key part of the Victorian government’s so-called ‘China Strategy’. Premier Jacinta Allan has signed a memorandum of understanding during a personal meeting with China’s Minister for Education, Huai Jinpeng. The agreement includes a student exchange program at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, while Victorian students will learn Mandarin. Allan has also announced that China’s Trina Solar has received approval for a $435m battery project in Victoria. However, she has declined to comment on a transport announcement that she is slated to make later this week, and whether it will include Chinese investment in the Suburban Rail Loop project.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF PREMIER AND CABINET, CHINA. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, TRINA SOLAR LIMITED

Another exec to board Suburban Rail Loop gravy train

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Original article by Ryan Bourke
The Australian – Page: 6 : 29-Jul-25

The Victorian government is seeking to recruit a director of engineering for its Suburban Rail Loop project. The salary range for the position is beween $290,000 and $419,000. This compares with an average salary of $210,000 to $230,000 for a director of engineering in Australia, according to jobs website Jora. A spokewoman for the SRL says the high salary range is justified, given that the role requires highly specialised expertise, technical skill and experience. She adds that the SRL is competing with major projects in Australia and overseas to hire staff for such roles.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. SUBURBAN RAIL LOOP AUTHORITY, JORA

$32bn debt binge funds pledges

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Original article by Rebecca Urban
The Australian – Page: 6 : 28-May-19

The Victorian Government’s May 2019 Budget has forecast a surplus of $1bn in 2019-20, rising to $1.5bn in the following financial year. State debt is projected to rise by $32.1bn over the forward estimates period, topping $54.9bn in 2022-23. The increased debt will be used to finance infrastructure projects, with expenditure on infrastructure to average $13.4bn a year over the forward estimates. Meanwhile, the government has scaled back its forecasts for growth in employment and gross state product over the next three years.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF TREASURY AND FINANCE, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED, S&P GLOBAL RATINGS

Debt to double to $60 billion as Labor drops cap

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Original article by Patrick Durkin
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 9 : 23-Nov-18

The Victorian Government’s election costings show that the state’s debt ceiling will blow out to 12 per cent of gross state product as a result of its infrastructure spending program, which will be partially funded via debt. Treasurer Tim Pallas had previously sought to cap state debt at around $30bn, or less than six per cent of gross state product. Labor has also advised that the state’s Budget surplus for 2019-20 is projected to be $1.7bn, compared with expectations of a $2.3bn surplus in 2018-19. The Coalition intends to retain the existing debt ceiling and will seek to reduce the state’s debt by $1.1bn over four years if it wins the state election.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF VICTORIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, VICTORIA. DEPT OF TREASURY AND FINANCE, MELBOURNE WATER CORPORATION

State embarks on a dazzling spending binge

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Original article by Patrick Durkin, Ben Potter
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 6 : 2-May-18

The Victorian Government’s May 2018 Budget has forecast a surplus of $A1.4bn in 2018-19, amid expectations that revenue will rise by almost nine per cent. The Government has attributed the strong Budget outlook to factors such as rising stamp duty and payroll tax revenue, the state’s economic growth and an increase in its share of GST revenue. The Government has also announced that it will invest $A13.7bn in infrastructure projects, including hospitals, schools and roads.

CORPORATES
VICTORIA. DEPT OF TREASURY AND FINANCE, SNOWY HYDRO LIMITED, MELBOURNE AIRPORT, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, LIBERAL PARTY OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET