Phillip Coorey | By saying the budget is in ‘better nick’, Chalmers glosses over a big point With Anthony Albanese to call the election as early as Friday, this is a grim set of numbers that have been tarted up with a tax cut and some upbeat forecasts.

Chanticleer | Just like the ASX, Chalmers’ pitch is mired in Australian mediocrity The ASX’s malaise is also evident in the ‘lay-buy’ budget. But solutions require the sort of courage and long-term thinking lacking in business and politics.