Forecast for $4b surplus a political "blip"before deficits resume; Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor says "drover's dog" could do it

After days of speculation there's now confirmation that the Federal Budget could be back in surplus for the first time in 15 years.

When he delivers his budget speech tonight, Treasurer Jim Chalmers will forecast a slender surplus of around $4 billion for this financial year.

But while the budget might be back in the black, it's only going to be temporary.

Here's my analysis on ABC Newsradio with Tom Oriti

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has reheated a line from Labor history saying "a drover's dog" coul deliver a surplus.

The line comes from 1983 when then Labor leader Bill Hayden was forced to stand down to make way for Bob Hawke saying "a drover's dog" could take Labor to election victory.