Budget will be responsible, Hockey says

Joe Hockey has spoken at a function in Melbourne about the upcoming federal budget.

The federal budget will get back to surplus as soon as possible, Treasurer Joe Hockey says. (AAP)

The federal budget will get back to surplus as soon as possible, but that will be without hurting the Australian economy, Treasurer Joe Hockey says.

Mr Hockey says the budget will be responsible, measured and fair.

"We will continue to get back to surplus as soon as possible but we will do so without hurting families or the broader Australian economy," he told a business function in Melbourne on Wednesday.