This widely held impression was cemented early on in the government’s first term by its decision to abandon the East West Link project.

That controversial call – seen by many as cavalier – cost taxpayers more than $1.1 billion, according to the Auditor-General.

Not only that, it almost blew the premier’s entire reserves of political capital, making his government especially vulnerable when disaster struck the public transport network.

However, the Andrews government was able to ride out the worst of the storm and yesterday deliver a mid-term budget bursting at the seams with large spending promises.

The budget, this government’s second, does nothing to dispel the perception of profligacy – nor does it need to.

Victoria is, to put it bluntly, rolling in money. 

In sharp contrast to the final years of its predecessor’s term in power, the Andrews government has been blessed with riches beyond its wildest dreams.

Land and payroll tax is on the rise. A bumper crop of federal grants – estimated at $27 billion – is due next year and total state revenues are forecast to be up almost 7 per cent to $60 billion.

The Andrews government has decided this is no time to be squirrelling it all away for a rainy day. 

The cash in this budget comes thick and fast for public transport, education, health, drought-prevention, family violence initiatives and law and order.

Bendigo is not spared – far from it – but neither could it be claimed that all the city’s Christmases have come at once.

The biggest ticket item is $30.4 million for the duplication of Napier Street, which is merely the government fulfilling its election promise.

Then there is $16 million to upgrade the Bendigo and Eaglehawk train stations, $14 million to address rising water levels and a raft of important but more modest projects, such as the new tech school and an arts hub.

Critics are, however, entitled to inquire as to the lack of new infrastructure projects creating much-needed jobs.

This budget from the Andrews government shows ambition, but the time will come when it must be matched by acumen.

- Ross Tyson, deputy editor