Having lived in Victoria (Melb). As someone from Sydney.
My advice Sophia is: don't chase a weakness, follow a strength.
Meaning...
Yes, Victoria is probably the crappiest at Politics.
But Sport has done Victoria well.
So just accept that Politics won't make your State rich.
But return to your true Victorian nature of living Sport and make it boom.
Don't try to turn the rest of the States into Sporting States - just make Victoria the Sporting State and the money will start to flow, as well as the State pride, etc.
Afterall. It's what I enjoyed the most about Victoria.
It's all about 'specialisation'.
Even Kennett knew this and why he stole the Grand Prix from Adelaide.
Hell. You might even start winning the AFL every year, they'll start calling it the VFL again.