We’ll get a clearer picture of the Government’s spending plans heading into an election year this afternoon. 

Treasury’s releasing the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update at 1pm, alongside the Budget Policy Statement, setting out the economic outlook and spending priorities. 

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen Andrew Dickens governments are often expected to loosen the purse strings in an election year. 

He says the Government might spend less than they hoped if the books aren't looking too flash. 

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