Coalition, ALP spruik to Vic voters

The coalition is asking Victorians to trust its financial record, while Labor is pledging to improve services as the election campaign kicks off in earnest.

The government enters caretaker mode on Tuesday as the latest Newspoll shows the coalition on course for almost certain defeat.

Premier Denis Napthine made a pitch to voters on Monday focusing on his government's budget record, saying the election would be about choice, trust and good decisions.

"Victorians will ask who they can trust - who they can trust to keep our finances in order," Dr Napthine said.

He said the coalition had delivered a budget surplus, while Labor left the state in debt in 2010 after controversial contracts for the myki transport cards and the Wonthaggi desalination plant.

"Victorians have a clear choice: a choice between responsible budgeting so we can afford the things you and your family need," he said.

Dr Napthine said the coalition had made good on its promise at the last poll to fix the problems and build for the future.

"Through strong financial management, we've repaired the budget and put Victoria in the strongest financial position of any state or territory in Australia," he said.

"This economy is the foundation on which we can build a better Victoria."

When pressed on a specific issue he wanted to fix in Victoria if the coalition is returned, Dr Napthine nominated traffic congestion through better public transport and roads including the $18 billion East West Link, which Labor has pledged to dump.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews refused to comment on Dr Napthine's attacks on Labor's history of managing major projects.

Labor's key election themes would focus on improving services and cutting suburban traffic congestion.

"(We need) the best schools, the best hospitals, an ambulance service that works," Mr Andrews said.

He said Labor would focus on giving Victorians the services he says the coalition government has cut.

"Are we going to settle for schools that are falling down, hospitals that are full, and ambulances that simply don't arrive in time to save lives? Or are we going to work towards something better? Are we going to put people first?"

Labor says it will create jobs, with the removal of 50 level crossings around Melbourne to ease gridlock a key part of that plan.

"We can't settle as a state for the highest unemployment rate on the mainland," Mr Andrews said.

Mr Andrews said Labor would also "end the war" with Victoria's paramedics, who have been fighting a pay deal with the state government, and improve hospitals.

A NewsPoll on Monday showed Labor had a 54-46 per cent two-party-preferred lead.

Political commentator Brian Costar believes the unpopular federal budget is hurting the state government.

Politics expert Zareh Ghazarian says Labor's approach to target its message to delivering services more than economic frugality appeared to be working as it had been consistently ahead in opinion polls.