Federal politics blog: Budget, citizenship saga and poll results

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has lashed Labor’s Budget credibility, saying their costings were done “on the back of an envelope’’. FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG.

AFTER more than 18 months trailing Labor in the opinion polls, Malcolm Turnbull is back in the fight.

Treasurer Scott Morrison’s no-pain, “back in black” budget appears to be a winner with some voters with the first opinion poll published by Nine.com.au since his speech on Tuesday night showing the Coalition has received a boost in its standing with voters. Labor leader Bill Shorten has also taken a beating in a massive week in federal politics where three of his MPs resigned and a fourth lost her seat in the latest twist in the dual citizenship fiasco. But Labor looks set to remain the game - the Opposition leader’s official budget reply speech last night pledged a “fair go” for all Australians, more generous tax relief for low and middle income earners than the government’s tax plan, and billions more in funding for schools and hospitals. The first major test for both leaders will come in the next two months. Half a million Australians will head to the polls in five by-elections triggered by the citizenship saga and a shock resignation from Labor MP Tim Hammond, who wants to spend more time with family. And an indication of who voters trust more to deliver tax relief and manage the economy will be revealed in the next major opinion poll, likely to be held over the next week. Follow the latest updates today here: MORE: Budget winners and losers MORE: What Budget means for you MORE: Your five-minute Budget guide MORE: Everything you need to know about the Budget

Originally published as Federal politics blog: Budget, citizenship saga and poll results