Wafer thin budget surplus on horizon - but economist Chris Richardson warns "back in black" party will be brief

Australians are constantly told that "back in black" budgets are a dream given long term deficits from the pandemic. 

But former Treasury economist Chris Richardson has crunched the numbers and thinks the Budget might get back into balance next year and maybe even post a wafer thin surplus. 

However Mr Richardson warns the surplus will be brief as Treasurer Jim Chalmers confronts the weight of Medicare, the NDIS and defence.

We spoke on the ABC's AM program