The Budget overview summarises the state’s economic and fiscal outlook, and the Victorian Government’s strategic priorities and objectives. The Strategy and outlook paper outlines the state's current and expected economic and financial performance and outlines the Government's fiscal and economic strategy. The Budget is focused on making life easier, safer and more affordable.

This paper reports on political and policy attitudes collected in a March 2026 poll of Australian adults. Australians retain broadly expansive views on the role of government but the belief-in-government index declined. More Australians describe their income taxes as too high but simultaneously favour increased government spending across most budget areas.

The report provides a comprehensive review of global energy policy changes in 2025, tracking more than 6,500 policy measures across 84 countries. The report highlights changes in more than 200 areas of energy policymaking, including government spending, emergency stockholding, energy access, energy regulation and climate pledges.

This research report uses key economic indicators to compare Australia’s economic conditions in the post-pandemic years against previous decades. It finds that Australia is increasingly dependent on government spending and population growth to fuel headline economic growth. Private investment and net export has declined since 2000.

Large portions of spending by national governments can be considered mandatory. Drawing on practices from eight OECD countries, this paper examines how governments define, monitor and review mandatory spending. The analysis suggests that mandatory spending should be reviewed regularly, included in fiscal rules and budget processes, and be subject to clear accountabilities to parliament.