Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — It gives me great pleasure to update the house about the enduring strength of the Victorian economy. The ANZ Stateometer recently rated Victoria as the only jurisdiction with both above trend growth and improving momentum. This is not just idle commentary; this has been confirmed by the CommSec State of the States report and it is actually reflected in a number of key economic indicators.

Our jobs performance remains the envy of the nation. In fact we are the job-creating centre of the nation. We have now created more jobs in the last year than the rest of Australia combined — more than 188 000 jobs since taking office, with employment growing at 3.8 per cent per annum. This is what happens when you have a government that is getting on with it, getting out of bed and getting on with delivering for people.

It is no surprise that the energetic approach of our government is giving confidence to our business sector as well. NAB now rates Victoria as having the highest business confidence of all the states.

Just last week we progressed out tenders for the western outer suburban arterial roads package. That is $1.8 billion for — get it — Wyndham. This is an innovative approach to procurement that will deliver massive benefits for Melbourne’s west, upgrading roads that are not fit for purpose.

At the same time we are also ensuring that Victoria’s finances remain strong. Earlier this year Standard & Poor’s wrote to me saying that ‘the finances of the state of Victoria are in strong shape’. Indeed let me be clear that we will continue to keep Victoria’s finances strong. We will continue to deliver the infrastructure that Victorians need, and we will not take a backwards step in delivering our commitments to the people of Victoria.