Australians will be offered $8.6 billion in payments, tax rebates and cuts to fuel excise in a wave of budget outlays timed to start during the federal election campaign.

Motorists, low and middle-income earners and apprentices are among the winners in a budget that leaves future generations to pay the bill.

The Morrison government will deliver possibly its last budget tonight. Follow our live blog for the latest developments.

It was standing room only at the post-COVID budget.

Scott Morrison said the budget was not the “last word” on what his team would do for the Australian people in the lead-up to the polls.

New research has found that two hours a day appears to be the upper limit of healthy recreational screen time for children, beyond which they start to report only negative effects.

Rory Arnold and other Aussies in France won’t be considered by Dave Rennie for picks for the three-Test series against England in July.

Interim coach Andrew McDonald looks set to be named as the next head coach of Australia’s men’s team, while Justin Langer may continue his coaching career in Hobart.

Given only six players in the game’s history have kicked 1000 goals in their career, former Docker, Cat and Blues defender Stephen O’Reilly holds a record that is unlikely to be matched.

Quickly get up to speed on the main elements of Josh Frydenberg’s 2022 budget.

Gary Portelli believes Fireburn is stepping up to the trip she is best suited at in the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The Coalition’s plan to hit net zero by 2050 includes a significant expansion of Australia’s gas resources, which the government says will be used as a transition fuel.

While Scott Morrison has repeatedly told us that Australians want government out of their lives, he is not brave enough to take his leave. Not so close to an election.

Clap if you believe the sudden outpouring of $8.6 billion in one-off handouts has absolutely nothing to do with the imminent federal election.

The federal budget speech reinterpreted: You live in a marginal or restive electorate, we look after you with some tasty infrastructure.

The federal budget forecasts strong economic growth, low unemployment and rising wages growth but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and war in Ukraine pose lingering threats to the rosy assessment.

Changes to paid parental leave and a $1.3 billion down-payment on the new plan to end violence against women headline the Coalition’s pitch to female voters.

The extension of the medical insurance scheme suggests the government is considering lowering the age of eligibility once international trials are completed.

Expect the price of petrol to fall by 22 cents a litre after the federal budget unveiled a tax cut that will cost $2.7 billion in revenue.

Apprentices in priority skills occupations will get a $1250 payment every six months for two years as part of a new $2.4 billion apprenticeship scheme.

Amid a war, pandemic and catastrophic flooding, the Treasurer promised to “stick to our plan” to build a stronger economy.

An extra 1000 full-time positions will be created under a funding boost for Indigenous land and sea management.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said total support for flood-hit communities is expected to exceed $6 billion.

Eligible businesses will be able to deduct $120 for every $100 they spend on services that support their digital capability, including upgrades to cybersecurity systems or online sales platforms.

Australia’s spending on foreign aid and diplomacy will fall in real terms over the next four years, even as China exerts increasing influence in the region.

In its centrepiece defence budget announcement, the government will make the largest single investment in the Australian Signals Directorate in the agency’s history.

It’s not the shrinking state, but NSW has lost more residents during the pandemic than any other state and the exodus is set to continue, budget papers reveal.

Figures show the government pulled in about $33 billion more than originally predicted in income taxes alone this financial year.

When you read the budget fine print you discover that what the Treasurer gives with one hand, he takes away with the other.

High-priced economies and inflation are expected to swell the economy by an extra $300 billion. But the Coalition continues to promise debt and deficits.

A single number tells Australians just how desperate Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg have become in their quest to beat Anthony Albanese to the prize of power.

Victoria faces an exodus of residents to other states, the federal budget predicts.

The urgency for pay rises is becoming very real. And that’s before you bet on interest rates going up.

The voter shop-a-thon seemingly ignores what will happen beyond the May election.

Matthew Guy announced on Tuesday morning his son had tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him and his family into isolation for seven days.

Keep public housing out of Brighton? It’s the Liberals that cluster together, taking over suburbs. Their Ferraris, Bentleys and Mercs clog local roads like plaque clogs arteries.

Elton John and Ed Sheeran have recorded songs, while cricketing legends Brian Lara and Wasim Akram will be joined by celebrities including Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe at Warne’s service on Wednesday night.

A year after the release of Do Better the authors of the report that excoriated Collingwood for a systemically racist history have said the club has made meaningful progress.

Strict financial and travel sanctions will be imposed on 39 Russian individuals responsible for corruption and the abuse and death of Ukrainian-born Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will hand down his fourth budget tonight, the United States will send more troops and planes to Europe and some residents in northern NSW are being told to evacuate due to further flooding.

The NRL player is on trial accused of having sex with a woman who was either unconscious or too drunk to consent. He says she consented and remained alert.

Weeks after enduring record-breaking floods, Northern Rivers face another major flood while authorities are also concerned for areas along the Mid-North Coast.

A one-off $420 buffer will be added to the tax offset for Australians on low-to-middle incomes as the federal government focuses on easing cost of living pressures.

Everything you need to know to find a winner at the mid-week metropolitan meeting.

The son of former outstanding mare Catkins brings race fitness into the First Justify Yearlings Handicap.

Adrian Bott’s favourite Converge is set to give training partner Gai Waterhouse a record eighth Doncaster victory.

The Bulldogs flyer will come up against his old club for the first time trying to avoid the type of lean try-scoring patch he rarely endured at Melbourne.

In a wide-ranging speech that also touched on his involvement in the GST redistribution and his downfall from politics, Mr Porter said China’s behaviour lacked rationality

The ex-officer is disputing he broke the law and breached his duties, and has pleaded not guilty to one charge of misconduct and three of disclosing police information without reasonable excuse.

Solomon Islands’ defiant Prime Minister sent Scott Morrison a text and letter before telling his parliament Australia’s concerns were “nonsense”.