A reminder ahead of the Budget.

Steven Joyce holds two critical roles - he's the Finance Minister and the National Party Campaign Chair.

Editor at Newsroom Tim Murphy told Rachel Smalley some think today there'll be a blurring of those lines.

"While he says it's not an election year budget, it's a budget in election year. They are absolutely focused on 123 days from now."

Political commentator Trish Sherson told Rachel Smalley it's likely most of what's in the Budget will only come into effect after September.

"It's really locking voters in to think you've got to pop a tick in National's box, when you get into the ballot, if you want some of the lollies from the scramble."

LISTEN ABOVE TO RACHEL SMALLEY'S BUDGET DAY PANEL WITH TIM MURPHY AND TRISH SHERSON