HIS home state may be an economic basket case and his wife, Carmel Tebbutt, the Deputy Premier, but the federal Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, has no intention of playing favourites.

Mr Albanese told the Herald yesterday he would continue his tradition of not commenting on his wife's public or private duties, but he did say the $20 billion Building Australia Fund, over which he presides, would be managed responsibly, transparently and ethically, and that it was too late to make special provisions from the fund.

Submissions for money were received by the states, including NSW, in July, he said.

They are now being considered by Infrastructure Australia, an independent body chaired by the businessman Sir Rod Eddington.

An audit of infrastructure needs will be completed this month and a list of recommended projects will be presented at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in March.

The parlous state of NSW treasury was highlighted on Friday by Michael Costa, after he was dumped as treasurer.

Mr Costa said a revenue shortfall of $90 million a month and spending blow-outs had placed pressure on spending for badly needed infrastructure in Sydney.

The federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said the Government would not bail out NSW.

"NSW will take decisions about their budget in their terms. We are not in the business of bailing out any particular state," he said.

Mr Swan repeated that the state's infrastructure demands would be dealt with through the Building Australia Fund.

The Opposition Leader, Brendan Nelson, said the Liberal Party was exploring constitutional triggers for an early election because the next election, March 2011, was too far away.

"I am very concerned that we will have to wait 2½ years before people in NSW get a chance to have a vote," Dr Nelson said.

"I think we need to be having a look at whether we can have an early election and what are the circumstances under which it could be called."

A constitutional expert, Professor George Williams, from the University of NSW, said Labor would have to support a no-confidence motion in itself to force an early election.