Government announces tax cuts and boost infrastructure projects in pre-election budget

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has more than doubled the Coalition’s tax reform package in a pre-election budget the government hopes will turn around its electoral fortunes.

'Back in the black': Government doubles tax relief and splashes the cash in pre-election budget Source: AAP

Key points from Budget 2019-20:

The government will deliver Australia’s first surplus in 12 years
Tax offsets for low and middle-income earners doubled to up to $1,080 a year
Christmas Island detention centre to close by July, four months after it was reopened
A clampdown on welfare to save $2.1 billion over four years
Refugee support services take $77.9 million hit