Rudd defends budget blow-out
Australia's debt will be the lowest of any major economy for the next decade despite an expected blow-out in the deficit, Kevin Rudd says.
Rudd hints at welfare cuts for the wealthy
Kevin Rudd hints welfare payments to high-income households might be pruned in the budget, saying everyone has to do their bit.
Budget cannot afford higher dole payments
Phillip Coorey Chief Political Correspondent PLEAS from the welfare lobby for unemployment benefits to be increased in next month's budget are falling on deaf ears because the Government is reluctant to commit to what will be a burgeoning and permanent expense.
Budget will take 'tough decisions': Swan
Treasurer Wayne Swan says the May 12 budget requires some ``very, very tough decisions'' raising speculation there will be cuts to middle-class welfare.
Budget deficit heads for $50bn
Peter Martin
Treasurer Wayne Swan ramps up expectations of a horror budget on May 12, warning of "very tough calls" and "decimated government revenues".
Global crisis forces budget forecast rethink
Phillip Coorey Chief Political Correspondent AUSTRALIA'S economic recovery will not begin until the end of next year or the start of 2011 at the earliest, the federal budget will forecast.
Big boost to push defence budget to 20-year high
Jonathan Pearlman Defence Correspondent DEFENCE spending in Australia will be boosted to its highest levels relative to gross domestic product in almost 20 years.
Paid maternity leave in the balance
Josh Gordon With budget looming, the Federal Government hasn't made a decision about whether it has the money available to fund a universal, paid maternity leave scheme.
Pension cut for tough budget
Kerry-Anne Walsh Single aged pensioners may lose one-third of an expected $30-a-week increase to allow the Federal Government to boost unemployment benefits in the May 12 budget.
Budget key to future of buyers' subsidies
Jacob Saulwick
First-home buyers appear set to hold on to increased government subsidies in next month's budget - but only for houses yet to be built.
Rich face higher taxes: Rudd
The Rudd government may slug high-income earners to bolster its budget and keep rising debt levels within a self-imposed $200b limit.
Budget will include long-term forecasts: Tanner
Next month's federal budget will include forecasts for the nation's finances beyond the usual four-year prediction, Acting Treasurer Lindsay Tanner says.
'Headwinds' buffet budget plans: Swan
Expect tough choices in next month's Federal budget as the global recession puts a clamp on Australia's economy, Treasurer Wayne Swan has warned.
Swan refuses to be drawn on third stimulus package in budget
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has refused to say whether there'll be a third stimulus package in the May budget, but says the budget will be stimulatory.
Super solution to the big budget dilemma
Jacob Saulwick It all sounds highly contradictory because it is.
Forecasts to be slashed in budget: Swan
Government forecasts for Australia's economic growth and budget deficit will be 'substantially worse' in the coming budget, Treasurer Wayne Swan said.
Cabinet sharpens its axe for budget
Katharine Murphy
APRIL 6: Preparations for next month's budget have begun again in earnest, with cabinet's razor gang meeting in Canberra last night in the wake of the London G20 summit.
Budget deficit could reach $100b: Tanner
Mark Metherell APRIL 6: The deficit could reach $100 billion over the next three years, Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner warns, throwing into doubt prospects for paid maternity leave and extra cash for universities in next month's budget.
Swan confirms pensions to rise in budget
Peter Martin APRIL 2: Pensions set to jump by as much as $35 a week after Treasurer Wayne Swan breaks with tradition and confirms there would be an increase in the May budget.
Swan hints at budget stimulus package
MARCH 23: Treasurer Wayne Swan has hinted there will be a further stimulus package in the May federal budget, despite collapsing revenue because of the global recession.
Budget deficit could reach $50 billion
MARCH 23: Australia could be facing a $50 billion budget deficit in the next financial year as the economy struggles to grow in a global recession, one of the nation's largest banks says.
