Treasurer Scott Morrison has shrugged off any suggestion of a link between a crucial by-election and the release of major economic figures.
Mr Morrison, who was out supporting Liberal incumbent John Alexander in Bennelong on Saturday, will release the mid-year economic and fiscal update on Monday.
The treasurer was asked if he would have preferred to release the figures sooner to boost Mr Alexander's chances in the northern Sydney electorate, or was instead parking "ugly" figures until after the vote.
"Well the MYEFO date was set well in advance of John Alexander's situation even becoming apparent," Mr Morrison told reporters.
"That was decided a long time ago, so we've just gone to the schedule."
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The treasurer said practical issues, including the release of the national accounts, dictated the timing of the update and the earliest it could be done was on Monday.
Mr Morrison gave little away when asked whether Australians would be left smiling following the economic and fiscal update.
"MYEFO will show that the government is absolutely on track when it comes to getting the budget back into balance," he said.
"We're making very strong headway on that plan, and we're sticking to that plan."
