A BIG stimulus spend-up to boost the economy's recovery from COVID-19 and a reduction in GST revenue means the state budget is forecast to be $2.6 billion in deficit this financial year.
Debt will rise to $33.2b, according to forward estimates, but a surplus to start eroding that debt is predicted by as soon as 2023-24.
Treasurer Rob Lucas described the budget as one "like no other".
"Everything that I've seen in my public lifetime doesn't compare with the circumstances that we have now in the context of the preparation of this particular budget," he said.
"We want to provide a jolt, a two-year stimulus to the economy to jump-start it whilst at the same time put in place the basis for long-term sustainable jobs growth in our state."
Primary Producers SA executive chair and former Premier Rob Kerin said because of the late delivery of the budget, much of the spending to benefit the primary production industry had already been announced, including well-received funding for drought and bushfire recovery.
But, he viewed rural road infrastructure as the big winner out of Tuesday's announcement, with $908 million budgeted for new rural transport infrastructure projects.
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