An expert says Australia should expect a budget surplus next year, regardless of whether there’s a change in government.

In the Federal Budget, the Coalition promised a $7.1 billion surplus, the first in Australia since 2007.

But the Head of Macroeconomics at BIS Oxford Economics Sarah Hunter tells Ross Greenwood the promise will be delivered even if Labor win the upcoming federal election.

“I do think that we probably will see a surplus next year, given the current trend, and I think that’s going to be true even if we get a change in government after the election.

“The budget reply from the Labor Party didn’t really change that much in the near term.”

She says the challenge for the future government will be in the unanticipated policy decisions they will have to make.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview