Formal talks on the 2014-20 budget deal do not start until next year.

The candidates were then asked if they would accept a budget deal that raised taxes by just $1 for every $10 of cuts.

And when candidates were asked during a recent debate whether they would accept a budget deal that cut $10 of public spending for every $1 in tax increases, all said no.

The budget deal has now knocked a hole through the governor's green credentials.

A budget deal was agreed to less than two hours before a shutdown would have begun.