A postcard from two youths with disabilities has brought Prime Minister Julia Gillard to tears as she introduced disability care legislation.

Treasurer Wayne Swan’s federal budget has mapped a path to surplus that has required some cuts that could anger families and business.

The full transcript of Treasurer Wayne Swan’s 2013/14 Budget speech.

The federal budget will chart a path back to surplus while delivering extra spending for schools and disability care, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

The coalition workplace policy has ignited debate over fairness and flexibility, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying it’s “absurd” to say workers wouldn’t suffer.

The federal government is expected to raise taxes and charges in the May budget as the company tax take slides and public demand for services rises.

Menzies House, a think tank with links to the Liberal Party, has sparked controversy by publishing a tongue-in-cheek article advocating the death of underprivileged Australians as a method of managing the federal budget. Wayne Swan has labelled the piece by right wing business lobbyist Toby Ralph “a disgusting rant”.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described Opposition Leader Tony Abbott as an “economic simpleton” over his comments on super.

Treasurer Wayne Swan and superannuation minister Bill Shorten have released the government’s superannuation plans to head off any more criticism.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says single-minded austerity is hurting Europe, while infighting in the US Congress is holding back its country.

Economists expect the biggest monthly rise in employment in 13 years in Australia lessens the chance of another cut in interest rates.

Get more pounds for your dollar – the Aussie dollar has reached 68 pence, its highest level against Sterling since 1985.

This week’s national accounts showed the economy has been recession-free for 21 continuous years, otherwise unheard of in the current global climate.

A legislative amendment recently passed by the Australian government will allow it to claim any money from an inactive bank account which has not been used in three years. If you have not used your Australian bank account in more than three years this money will be transferred to government revenue on 31 May 2013.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott reiterated his party’s commitment to “strong, home-grown policy” today in a thinly-veiled attack on Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Scottish communications adviser John McTernan.

Miners paid the Labor government $126 million in mining tax in the first two quarters of its introduction, Australian Taxation Office advice shows.

Delivering a budget surplus is certainly possible, a federal Labor MP says as the latest Newspoll shows Labor winning back support in an election year.

The federal government has all but dumped its promise to deliver a budget surplus in 2012/13, so it can boost economic growth and jobs.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says the fallout from economic “storm clouds” in Europe, Asia and the United States has made returning the budget to surplus much harder.