On the night of the federal budget, Treasurer Scott Morrison promised to "ensure the government lives within its means" and warned Australians: "This is not a time to be splashing money around."

A little later in the cabinet dining room, he hosted an invite-only knees-up for staff and other visitors, billing taxpayers $11,625 for food and drinks - and outspending his predecessor Joe Hockey.

Documents show guests at Mr Morrison's first budget after-party enjoyed hickory-smoked beef sirloin, shredded slow-cooked lamb shoulder with pomegranate jelly and "micro coriander", and mini chicken pistachio lemon thyme sausage rolls.

Modest libations were the order of the day, care of Hollick's "The Bard" sauvignon blanc, which retails for $20, an $18 bottle of cab sav from Knappstein in the Clare Valley and a local Zierholz German ale.