Bushfires put cloud over budget surplus

Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg is unsure if the government will deliver a budget surplus, as the nation counts the cost of the bushfire crisis.

Art Gallery bequests, payroll tax among 'windfalls' behind $289m budget surplus

Treasurer Rob Lucas says higher-than-expected payroll tax revenue, bequests to the Art Gallery of South Australia and proceeds from a legal dispute involving the Royal Adelaide Hospital are among the “windfalls” that have delivered a budget surplus of $289 million – nearly $50 million more than originally forecast.