Joining Tony Jones in Melbourne Victorian Liberal Senator Jane Hume, Tasmanian Labor Senator Julie Collins, philosopher/ethicist Peter Singer, The Australian's Foreign Affairs Editor Greg Sheridan and author Randa Abdel-Fattah.

Next week’s budget will be unlike any other. Australia's gross debt has now soared past a record-breaking $800 billion, and somehow the Government must support the economy and plan a recovery amidst a pandemic still throwing up unknowns. Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss how the Government is going to meet the challenge are: Naomi Simson, Founder of RedBalloon; Jane Hume, Assistant Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation; Jim Chalmers, Shadow Treasurer; Jane Halton, health expert and former head of Australia’s Finance Department; and Nicki Hutley, economist from Deloitte Access Economics.

With the economy showing strong signs of recovery, the government is focusing on jobs and talking up its spending on aged care, infrastructure and childcare. It’s being touted as a “women’s budget”, but will the measures, including more funding for domestic violence prevention and women’s health, be enough to stave off the effects of the so-called “pink recession”? And will the Government’s cash splash safeguard the economy from the threat of more lockdowns and extended border closures? On the panel are: Jane Hume, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy; Jim Chalmers, Shadow Treasurer; Larissa Waters, Greens Senator; Jacqui Lambie, Independent Senator; and Helen Haines, Independent Member for Indi.