If Tony Abbott is pleased by voter response to his government's second budget, he's not getting too cock-a-hoop about it.
Two post-budget polls, published on Monday, show Mr Abbott's standing as prime minister improving, with one of them finding the coalition now neck-and-neck with Labor after a year of being behind.
"I don't focus on polls, I focus on government .. what's good for the people of Australia," he told reporters in Mackay on Monday.
Treasurer Joe Hockey agreed, saying he is happier that Australians are prepared to "have a go".
"That's what lifts my spirits - when everywhere I go people are saying they are going to buy that bit of equipment for their business," Mr Hockey said.
The budget features a $5.5 billion small business package that includes a $20,000 instant asset write-off as well as other tax breaks.
Mr Abbott said the package was good for confidence and will be a shot in the arm for small business.
The treasurer later said he would love to do more for business, but couldn't afford it.
"If you guys go out and spend money and employ more people and I'll get a bit more money and we can go again," he told a NSW Business Chamber post-budget lunch in Sydney.
Even so, a new survey showed the small business tax breaks couldn't have come soon enough.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry survey found companies struggled through difficult trading conditions during the March quarter.
Expectations for their own business declined for the sixth consecutive quarter.
"The budget initiatives, combined with record low interest rates, should help small businesses rediscover their mojo," chamber chief executive Kate Carnell said.
Reserve Bank deputy governor Philip Lowe has indicated the central bank still has scope to cut its cash rate - already at a record low of two per cent - even further, but he told a conference in Sydney that doesn't mean it will.
Some other elements of the budget supporting a families package could still face hostility in parliament's upper house.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said families shouldn't be faced with unfair cuts if they have children older than six.
But Mr Hockey has sized up such opposition and believes the pressure is on Mr Shorten to start being more co-operative, while he is hopeful for a better relationship with the Greens.
"(Former Greens leader) Christine Milne was a very difficult person to deal with ... I'm hopeful that the new Greens leader Senator Di Natale is going to be far more sensible," he said.
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