The Treasurer will today introduce the centrepiece of his third budget, the scrapping of a middle tax bracket, that sees someone earning $199,000 a year pay the same tax rate as someone earning $42,000.

Tax cuts are coming, according to the Government. Work out how much you will save in the first year.

Regional healthcare gets a major boost in this year's budget, with promises of more doctors and better access to services.

In the last question time before the release of the federal budget, Labor has seized upon comments from former treasurer Peter Costello that "you and I will die" before national debt is paid off. Follow live.

In the last question time before the release of the federal budget, Labor has seized upon comments from former treasurer Peter Costello that "you and I will die" before national debt is paid off. Follow live.

The Federal Government is asked to publicly explain its decision to award a multi-million dollar contract to a company that donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Liberal Party.

The Federal Government is asked to publicly explain its decision to award a multi-million dollar contract to a company that donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Liberal Party.

Irrigators and Indigenous groups are cautiously optimistic about a deal struck by the Coalition Government and Labor to give certainty to communities in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Irrigators and Indigenous groups are cautiously optimistic about a deal struck by the Coalition Government and Labor to give certainty to communities in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Labor MP Linda Burney points out that $10 worth of tax cuts per week doesn't amount to a whole lot when a cup of coffee can cost about $5, but the Government's Tim Wilson says it will offer relief.

Australia's former prime minister Bob Hawke is admitted to a Sydney hospital, but his representatives assure he is fine and his condition is nothing more serious than the "wobbles".

On the eve of the federal budget, the former treasurer says most Australians won't be around to see the country's national debt paid off.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says refugees on Manus Island are likely to stay there, as other nations "are not jumping out of their skin" to resettle them.

Police in southern China seize more than $6.3 million worth of counterfeit products, including large hauls of popular Australian branded wines, vitamins, foods, and cosmetics.

There's never been a better time for tax reform. But as governments have tried (and stumbled) over the years the burden has shifted to individual taxpayers and the latest budget looks no different, write Rebecca Cassells and Alan Duncan.

NRL round nine closes out as St George Illawarra take on the Melbourne Storm, before the Sydney Roosters face the Manly Sea Eagles. Follow it all in our live NRL ScoreCentre.

NRL round nine closes out as the Sydney Roosters beat the Manly Sea Eagles and St George Illawarra claim an impressive win over Melbourne Storm.

The Philadelphia 76ers are all but certainties to fall out of the second round of the NBA playoffs as their young Aussie star is finally acting his age.

The Philadelphia 76ers are all but certainties to fall out of the second round of the NBA playoffs as their young Aussie star is finally acting his age.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison is expected to announce a plan to reduce income taxes when he steps up to the despatch box on Tuesday night, but is dousing any expectations of a big windfall.