Tasmanian Treasurer Eric Abetz looks poised to wield the scalpel on budget day, revealing a speedy return to surplus made possible through cuts.
The government appears set to come good on its promise to tackle debt, which has spiralled in recent years and dominated the state's politics.
On Thursday morning, ahead of the budget's full release, Mr Abetz said Tasmania was forecasting a $193 million surplus in 2027/28, with net debt to peak the year after.
A year earlier, the picture of deficit and debt - which hit $5 billion in 2025 and was forecast to double by 2029 - was so alarming, the parliament passed a vote of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
Having won a snap election off the back of that vote, Mr Rockliff's government has regrouped with a new treasurer at the wheel, who warned of a "tough budget" ahead.
