Anthony Albanese believes Australians will welcome the news that the federal accounts are in a surplus almost five times greater than what was predicted on budget night, even as households around the country struggle with the rising cost of living.

Federal Department of Finance Records released yesterday show the budget surplus has grown to $19 billion by the end of May, a significant increase on the $4.2 billion figure unveiled by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on budget night.

Australia's largest ever surplus was $19.8 billion in 2007-08.

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Speaking in Sydney on Saturday, the prime minister said that strong economic position will help relieve inflation.

"That's a result of this government's responsible economic management," Albanese said.

"The fact that we've turned a $78 billion deficit that was forecast under the Liberal National Party government just over a year ago into a surplus that's in excess of $4 billion is a positive thing.

"It will take pressure off inflation. And the government's been determined to do that."

When pressed about the disparity of the huge boost to the Commonwealth's bottom line while households struggle with the cost of living crisis, Albanese pointed to a range of relief policies unveiled in the budget that came into effect today.

"We understand that families are under cost-of-living pressure," he said.

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"But these measures will make a real difference. $3 billion, together with states and territories, on energy price relief, the cheaper child care for 1.2 million families, the additional support for people to get into homeownership… increased paid parental leave, cheaper medicines.

"All of these will make a difference on cost-of-living pressures for families."

The opposition, however, has criticised the government for not doing enough to address increasing power prices, with electricity costs rising across the country from today.

"Australians will be paying the highest power prices they've ever seen," Shadow Energy Minister Ted O'Brien said.

However, Albanese defended his government's policies, again pointing to the energy price relief plan.

"I believe that Australian families will look at the federal budget and say it is good that we have a government that is putting in place responsible budget management in order to put that downward pressure on inflation," he said.

"They know that responsible economic policy from the federal government is important and has a flow-on impact that is positive for families…

"Our energy price relief plan alone will produce a three-quarters-of-a-percentage drop in inflation."

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Noise control, mowing and libraries are some of the areas where there will be cuts.

Police confirmed the fatal crash.

Two fire engines are at the scene.

Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports have been hit by widespread delays and cancellations, with some passengers being told they will not be able to fly until Tuesday.

Sydney Airport said many of their delays and cancellations were pre-emptive due to the potential for strong winds this morning.

Eighteen flights were cancelled – a total of five per cent of aircraft flying in and out of the city.

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Many travellers are waiting almost half an hour longer for their flights, with about 88 per cent of flights in Sydney impacted by delays.

It comes as New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland students are all on school holidays.

Virgin Australia passengers seem to be experiencing the most cancellations.

"Multiple Air Traffic Control shortages occurring across the network over the last two days as well as a reduction to one runway in Sydney yesterday has caused number of crew displacements and operational issues that are now impacting flights in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane today," Virgin Australia spokesperson told 9News.com.au.

"More disruptions are expected due to the ongoing impact of the industry wide disruptions over the last two days, and we will continue working to keep our guests updated.

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"All guests impacted by cancellations today are being recovered onto the next available flights.

"We apologise to any guests impacted by delayed or cancelled services, and we are working tirelessly to ensure all guests reach their final destination."

9News understands Qantas is expecting a number of delays due to ongoing impacts of yesterday's operations and restrictions on crew hours.

Many are worried about missing connecting flights including a cruise departing from Brisbane and other international destinations.

One passenger told 9News their family would not be able to get on a new flight until Tuesday so they were now going to have to drive home to the Central Coast and lose a lot of money.

A group of eight said they were placed on numerous flights but were now going home about $20,000 out of pocket.

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The rest home has 51 beds for elderly residents, who will now have to find a new home.

Whaikaha – the first govt ministry with a name in all official languages of NZ.

A 50-millimetre gap was seen opening and closing last year

China's Trip.com, one of the world's largest online travel agencies, is introducing new childcare subsidies worth 1 billion yuan ($206 million) to encourage its 32,000 employees to have kids.

Workers who have been with the company for at least three years will receive an annual bonus of 10,000 yuan ($2070) for each newborn child every year from the child's first birthday until they reach the age of five. The policy will take effect on Saturday.

"Through the introduction of this new childcare benefit, we aim to provide financial support that will encourage our employees to start or grow their families without compromising on their professional goals and achievements," Trip.com executive chairman James Liang said in a statement on Friday.

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Trip.com's announcement follows similar initiatives by smaller Chinese companies and comes as the country faces a demographic crisis.

China's population shrank in 2022 for the first time in more than 60 years, with just 6.77 births per 1000 people — the lowest birth rate since the founding of Communist China in 1949. The country is now the world's second most populous nation, having fallen behind India, according to the United Nations.

Beijing scrapped its decades-long "one child" policy in 2015, initially allowing married couples to have two children. But after a brief uptick in 2016, the national birth rate has continued to fall.

The issue is a key concern for policymakers, as it could have profound implications for the country. It adds to the problem of an ageing population, could affect economic growth, and reduce tax revenue and contributions to a pension system that is already strained.

At Trip.com, all full-time employees who have worked for the company for three years will qualify for the bonus, regardless of their gender, position or job location, the company said in a second statement in Chinese.

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"I have always suggested that the government give money to families with children … to reduce the family's child-rearing costs and help more young people fulfil their desire to have multiple children," Liang said in that statement.

"Companies can also play a role within their own capabilities to build a favourable reproductive environment," he added.

There are other examples. Beijing Dabeinong Technology, an agricultural company, said last year that it would give a 90,000 yuan ($18,600) cash bonus to employees if they had a third child, according to state media, including the China Securities Journal. Giving birth to a first or second child would lead to payments of 30,000 yuan ($6200) and 60,000 yuan ($12,400) respectively, the reports said.

Last month, QiaoYin City Management, an urban sanitation services firm, announced that it would offer a 100,000 yuan ($20,700) bonus to employees for giving birth to a third child. The move was aimed at reducing the financial burden on the families of young employees and responding to the government's call to encourage births, the company said.

The falling birth rate isn't the only worry for Beijing. Fewer people in China are also getting married, which could compound the problem.

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Some 6.83 million couples married in 2022, according to data released by China's Ministry of Civil Affairs earlier this month. That's down around 10.5 per cent from the 7.63 million marriages registered in 2021 and is the lowest number on record since the ministry began publishing the data in 1986.

Policymakers further relaxed limits on births in 2021, allowing three children, and ramped up efforts to encourage larger families, including through a plan released last year to strengthen maternity leave, and offer tax deductions and other perks to families.

But those efforts have yet to yield results amid changing gender norms, the high cost of living and education, and economic uncertainty.

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Heavy snow is tipped for the lower SI, with squalls and rain in many NI areas.