Front-loaded spending and tax decisions in this budget will tip an extra $24 billion into the economy over four years and risk fuelling price pressures, jarring with the government’s claims that it is putting downward pressure on inflation.

More than 80 per cent of the extra net policy spending, or $19.8 billion, will be injected in the next two financial years, when the Reserve Bank of Australia is still expected to be battling to reduce persistent inflation.