Mini-budget before federal election an option

A mini-budget early next year before the federal election is a live option being considered by the Turnbull government.

A MINI-BUDGET early next year before the federal election is a live option being considered by the Turnbull government.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison could use a mini-budget­, or economic statement, to announce an early return to surplus or to bring forward some of the tax cuts — and use that positive news as a springboard to an election campaign.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addresses today’s NSW Federal Budget Lunch. Picture: AAP

Several senior government sources confirmed it was a “live option” on the table.

“It’s highly unlikely there will be another Budget so at some point there may be an economic update or a mini-budget,” one said.

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There cannot be a Budget before the election, which is due by May 2019.

Mr Turnbull has made it clear he has no desire to go to an early election this year.

His office declined to comment on any plans for a mini-budget.

The NSW Federal Budget Lunch at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel. Picture: AAP

It comes as The Saturday Telegraph can reveal details of focus group research conducted by the federal Liberal Party this week after the Budget.

A senior Liberal strategist said the idea that Labor leader Bill Shorten was spending more before the economy was fixed was unlikely to go down well with soft voters concerned with budget repair: “Voters understand that the country is in debt and deficit. They are not just saying, ‘What’s in it for me?’ They’re interested in the good of the country.”