AT A GLANCE

Adam Morton says: As the government tightens its belt the environment department is being hit the hardest, losing $130.6 million in funding next financial year. This is partly due to programs ending, partly due to declining funding for environment protection and climate change schemes. With the carbon tax due to start on July 1, funding for environment and climate policy development and delivery is down by more than a third. There is more than $100 million over four years to improve the health of rivers and waterways.

$179.3m funding for sustainable water management and urban water reform.

$13.7m for upgrades at Zoos Victoria sites.

Spending on environmental and climate change policy to be reduced by $77 million in part due to bushfire programs ending and activities being deferred due to increased rain and the introduction of the federal carbon tax.

Additional department savings of $139 million over four years from cuts to contractors, stocks and materials, staff training and development.

The threshold for gas and electricity concession payments to be adjusted so people are not compensated by the state for the increase in bills that will be offset by federal carbon tax compensation.