In a very basic sense, it might seem like clever politics for the Abbott government. Hockey's budget now has the appearance of being $1.5 billion better off. At the same time, the Abbott government has been able to claim it is maintaining its commitment to the project, by parking the "risk" that it might one day be funded in the budget's rainy day "contingency reserve".

All the while, Tony Abbott will be able to bat away accusations he is shirking on his responsibilities to Victoria as an "infrastructure prime minister" by pointing out that $3 billion remains on the table for the project.

Trouble is, Abbott is already dudding Victoria on infrastructure funding. The budget papers, for example, reveal that the Commonwealth is expecting to invest just $1.5 billion in Victorian road and rail infrastructure over five years to 2018-19.

That represents just 8 per cent of the $19.8 billion being invested nationally by the Abbott government. While it is true that geographically small Victoria has relatively high population densities and consequently does not suffer the same infrastructure burden as other states, Victoria is still home to one-quarter of Australia's population. In contrast, NSW is expected to get $7.7 billion over five years, soaking up 39 per cent of the total, while Queensland is expected to be handed $7.1 billion, claiming a 36 per cent share.

Next financial year, Victoria will get just $400 million from the Commonwealth for infrastructure projects, including $76 million for work on the M80, $111 million for the St Albans rail grade separation project and $20 million to widen the Tullamarine Freeway. That works out at a measly $67 per person. NSW, on the other hand, will get $1.6 billion, including $190 million for infrastructure in the political battleground of western Sydney. That represents $212 per person, while Queensland will get $1.5 billion, working out at a whopping $309 per person.