However, the opposition has attacked the Andrews government over its decision to increase the stamp duty on some properties, and said it was indicative of the state “running out of money”.

“The Labor government is finally out of money – they’ve spent everything they’ve got and they’re out of money,” opposition finance spokesman Matthew Guy said.

“They’re scrounging around for money anywhere they find it – they’ll tax the family home. Everyone is talking about lowering stamp duty, Victoria is now increasing stamp duty. This is what happens when you spend, spend, spend, spend, spend and finally the money runs out.

“It’s not a money tree the government goes to – it’s the taxpayer who has to pay.”

Mr Merlino was at Latrobe University in Bundoora on Sunday morning to announce the Victorian budget on Thursday will set aside $100 million for a purpose-built facility for the Australian women’s national soccer team, the Matildas.

He has also defended Australia’s decision to prevent COVID-positive Australians in India from boarding repatriation flights, saying it was based on the “best public health advice”.

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At least three of the Australians prevented from boarding the flight on Saturday from Delhi to Darwin because they tested positive for COVID-19 have since returned negative results.

The efficacy of the laboratory used to pre-screen passengers for a Qantas repatriation flight from India has been brought into question after ABC News revealed it had its accreditation suspended by the country’s laboratory board in April.

Mr Merlino said he did not know whether any Victorian residents had been wrongly identified as contracting the virus, but the Commonwealth would provide assistance to those bumped off repatriation flights.

He confirmed national cabinet had agreed to block COVID-positive people, and Australians identified as their close contacts, from leaving India.

“We’ve got to take action as per the public health advice,” Mr Merlino said.

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“We respond to the best advice and the best advice is, the safest way to support vulnerable Australians and permanent residents and make sure that we’ve got all the safety precautions before, during and after those flights, is that we have very rigorous testing before people jump on the plane.

“And if they are positive, then it is the responsibility of Australian officials to support those individuals.”

About 900 Australians in coronavirus-ravaged India who have been identified as vulnerable are being prioritised for the repatriation flights, with one flight leaving every seven to nine days until the end of June, as agreed at national cabinet last week.

The first official repatriation flight to land in Victoria is not scheduled until May 27, when 150 people from India will arrive in Melbourne and enter hotel quarantine. However, it is likely the opening of “loophole” routes via third countries such as Qatar means Victoria will begin receiving people from India sooner, providing they can afford seats and can secure them.

The first flight to bring vulnerable citizens and permanent residents back from India since the travel ban was imposed touched down in Darwin on Saturday, well below its 150-person capacity with only 80 people arriving. On Friday, 42 of the passengers tested positive to the coronavirus and 31 of their close contacts were also barred from travelling.