However, the government has also projected almost $2 billion in unannounced savings for 2019-20, the final year covered by this budget. That will allow it to argue that any election commitments are fully funded, and not irresponsible spending. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison during a feisty question time. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Finance Minister Mathias Cormann on Wednesday confirmed the stash of cash but noted it was a feature of every budget. "Obviously, there is always a range of decisions where still a bit more work needs to be done before they're ready for public announcement," he told Channel Seven. "But by the time we get to the pre-election economic and fiscal outlook, all of that information will be publicly revealed." Opposition finance spokeswoman Penny Wong speculated the unannounced savings measures would mean cuts down the track. "There must be some nasties in it," she said. "Maybe they're saving it up for the last week to try and hide it from everybody."

Commentators have often seen the unannounced decisions provision as a "war chest" for governments facing an election. In 2010, the Labor government's budget, delivered under Kevin Rudd, allowed for almost $1.3 billion in unannounced measures over four years, months ahead of the election, under Julia Gillard, as it transpired. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull faces down Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Credit:Photo: Alex Ellinghausen However, the parliamentary library has tracked the controversial line item over 12 budgets and concluded it was not habitually abused by governments in election years. The "decisions taken but not yet announced" item is not the only pool of money the government has at its disposal. It can also dip into the contingency reserve, which includes money for unforeseen circumstances, commercial-in-confidence matters and unannounced policies. Cuts: Treasurer Scott Morrison unveiled $1.2bn of cuts to aged care funding. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen