Budget Night 2026: Full coverage on the ABC – Tuesday 12 May from 7pm – The 2026 Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday 12 May, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivering his fifth and most challenging budget to date, with comprehensive, live coverage across ABC TV and ABC iview from 7pm AEST.*
With the war in Iran and a resulting global energy crisis clouding the domestic and international economic outlook, the government is under mounting pressure to deliver further cost‑of‑living relief and use the crisis to advance longer‑term reform.
Expanding home ownership for young Australians, improving the economy’s resilience to external shocks, and putting the nation’s finances on a more sustainable footing have all been flagged as key priorities for the Albanese government in this Budget, and the ABC’s team of reporters and experts will help you make sense of what it all means for the economy, and for you.
From 7pm, join Jeremy Fernandez for a Budget preview live from Parliament House as part of the Eastern States 7pm News, followed immediately by:
7:30pm: The Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ speech.
After the speech, the ABC’s expert team will bring expert insights and analysis of the Budget and what it means for you.
8:00pm: Budget 2026: 7.30 Budget Special hosted by Sarah Ferguson including interviews with the Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson with analysis from Jane Norman, Jacob Greber, Ian Verrender and Tom Crowley.
8:30pm: In a primetime Insiders Budget Special, David Speers will be joined by budget experts Chris Richardson and Aruna Sathanapally and get political analysis from Insiders regulars Patricia Karvelas, Melissa Clarke and Jacob Greber. Business reporter David Chau looks at what’s in the budget for small and large businesses, and disability affairs reporter Nas Campanella will provide her evaluation of the changes to the NDIS.
9.30pm The Business hosted by Kirsten Aiken andjoined by Ian Verrender, Michael Brennan and Devika Shivadekar to dissect the Federal Budget and what it means for the economy, households and business. Michael Janda hosts a panel of housing experts, Alicia Barry explores the business reaction, while David Taylor reports from inside the lock-up.
ABC Radio will have you covered, beginning with the Treasurer’s speech at 7.30pm, and continuing until 9pm with all you need to understand how the Budget will impact you.
The ABC news site will have comprehensive coverage of the Federal Budget, including a live blog featuring contributions from specialists and experts, winners and losers.
The ABC will also broadcast Opposition Leader Angus Taylor’s Budget Reply speech at 7:30pm on Thursday 14 May.
(*All times in AEST)
Media Release – ABC
Link to ABC iview HERE
TV Central ABC content HERE
Budget Night 2026: Full coverage on the ABC – Tuesday 12 May from 7pm
