u/I-HATE-CRUSTY-BREAD

Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down the 2026–27 Federal Budget tonight at approximately 7:30pm AEST.

Where to watch / read:

• ABC News (TV + iview)
• SBS News (YouTube, Facebook, app)
• Budget papers drop at budget.gov.au at lock-up release (~7:30pm AEST)

What's been confirmed or heavily flagged ahead of tonight:

Tax & super

• $1,000 instant tax deduction (no receipts) for 2026–27 returns — affects ~6.2m taxpayers, avg ~$205 saving
• Possible $200–$300 one-off tax cut (unconfirmed; reports suggest delayed start to avoid inflation pressure)
• $20,000 instant asset write-off for small business to be made permanent
• Capital gains tax discount under review — reports of a cut from 50% to either 33% or 25%, possibly grandfathered
• Negative gearing and family trusts flagged as part of "intergenerational fairness" reforms
• Reduction to private health rebate for over-65s

Spending

• Defence: +$53b over 10 years, reaching 3% of GDP by 2033
• NDIS: target of 600k participants (down ~160k by 2030); ~$50b/yr program being reined in
• Fuel security: $10b package, minimum stockholding lifted to 50 days, gov-owned reserve of 1bn litres diesel/aviation fuel
• Suburban Rail Loop (VIC): $3.8b
• Aged care: reversal of Nov 2025 reforms — personal care fully subsidised again
• $60m over 4 years for community housing access for 19–24 year olds
• $2.7b in savings from cutting consultants, external labour, travel

Cost of living

• $150 household/small business energy rebate (from 2025 budget, kicks in)
• Tax cut for low/middle earners from 1 July 2026 (legislated previously)
• Fuel excise and heavy road user charge cuts ending July ($2.55b)

Notably absent / reported out

• No new renewable energy investment (per SMH reporting)
• EV road user charge: being modelled but minister has indicated reluctance to introduce now

Context (MYEFO Dec 2025): Deficit landed at $36.8b, $5.3b better than the March 2025 forecast.

Will update OP with confirmed figures as papers are released.