Western Australia's Labor government has forecast five years of budget surpluses after five years in the red, but has been criticised for not doing enough to help households and small businesses who have been doing it tough.
It has also come under fire from public servants, who will have to wait until after the next election for the prospect of a pay rise that at least matches inflation.
In his third budget on Thursday, WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt revealed a big turn-around in fortunes for the current financial year, with the deficit of $674 million projected in December's mid-year review replaced with a $553 million surplus.
For 2019/20, the surplus is forecast to rise to $1.53 billion, climbing to $2.6 billion the following financial year.
The better-than-expected result for the year to June 30 was largely driven by factors outside the state government's control: soaring iron ore prices due to supply disruptions in Brazil and GST top-ups.
While the government gets full credit for the other key driver - spending control - the public sector is threatening industrial action because Mr Wyatt is standing firm on the $1000 a year pay rise freeze announced in 2017.
"It is a policy we made very clear is a four-year policy," he told reporters.
For households, there is some relief in 2019/20, with increases to fees and charges the lowest in more than a decade and around the rate of inflation.
The opposition, however, said the hikes were still too much and also complained there was no relief for small businesses, which have been going broke in droves over the past two years.
The benefits of the surplus should have been passed on to them, Liberal leader Mike Nahan said.
"There is no relief in sight for businesses on taxation or any other front," Dr Nahan said.
Premier Mark McGowan saw it differently, acknowledging West Australians had helped carry the burden of budget repair but saying his government's plan had put the state back on track.
"It is the leadership and financial discipline that this state was crying out for," the premier said.
Ratings agencies and the peak business lobby group seemed impressed with the approach, believing WA is finally on track to pay down its eye-watering debt.
Debt is actually forecast to rise next financial year as billions are spent on infrastructure, particularly roads and rail, with big contributions coming from the federal government, but steadily decline afterwards.
Mr McGowan said WA was the only state in the nation paying down debt, which would save hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments.
