Wells used the failed projects of the previous government as examples of the challenges faced in the budget put forward this week.

"They need to be addressed," he said in parliament.

"To do this requires steady effort over time -- working every day to build a stronger budget position, one which is capable of funding necessary services and investing in new infrastructure without relying on excessive debt."

IT expenditure as a whole was scant in the budget, which largely reaffirmed the government's election commitments. This included a for tracking repeat arsonists and sex offenders.