The Gillard government has stashed away a ''war chest'' of nearly half a billion dollars in secret projects to be announced before the election.

In Tuesday's budget, Treasurer Wayne Swan listed a line item of $463.9 million as ''decisions taken but not yet announced''.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Credit:Andrew Meares

Deloitte Access Economics director Chris Richardson said Australians should expect to see the money spent on a range of pork-barrelling campaign announcements.

''Yes it is a war chest, and they're holding back a bit of money here that will be announced before the election,'' he said.