With an election just weeks away, we are unlikely to be given a full and frank account of the seriousness of the structural deficit, let alone shown a plan for its abolition. What we hear from Scott Morrison tonight should be taken no more seriously than all and any of Wayne Swan’s delusions

In an innovative re-casting of traditional pre-budget salesmanship, yesterday's agile photo-op focused not on deficits and spending, nor even gold-plated Gallic submersibles, but pesky fish it is hoped will soon be infected with herpes. Yes, really