Budget time is here again, and if you're thinking 'we just had a budget', you're absolutely correct.

The last budget in October was the Albanese government's way of establishing a new direction, and a formal method of delivering on its election commitments.

Budgets are usually handed down in May so this is actually a return to regular programming. But what does the budget actually do?

READ MORE: What we know so far about the budget

In simple terms, it sets out the government's priorities for the years ahead, it outlines revenues and expenses, and it makes forecasts about the economy over the next four financial years, often referred to as the 'forward estimates' or 'forwards' for short.

One of the most important things about the budget is its bottom line.

A balance of 'revenue' or money coming in and 'expenses' going out.

If the government earns more than it spends the budget is in 'surplus'.

If it spends more than it earns the budget is in 'deficit'.

Any deficit would add to the nation's 'debt' which is currently sitting at roughly $895 billion.

The October budget forecast a deficit of $36.9 billion this year.

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But some say a surplus is now possible for the first time since 2007 and the Opposition argues this is what the Treasurer should deliver.

The bulk of the budget is kept secret  until Tuesday night. Inevitably, though, some of the detail is leaked.

Among the things we know so far:

• There'll be a $3 billion power price relief package

• $2.2 billion will be spent on the health system to take pressure off the country's emergency departments.

• Following the Defence Strategic Review more than 30 defence projects will be scaled back, or scrapped  to help fund a $19 billion increase in defence spending.

• The National Disability Insurance Scheme's growth rate will be cut from 13.8 per cent per year, to 8 per cent by 2026 to save more than $60 billion over 10 years.

Overall, cost of living will be the big budget issue. Cost of living is being driven by inflation and the Treasurer will have to provide relief without adding to the problem by putting too much money in people's pockets.  

Ahu Stanley Taylor was sentenced to 10 years and eight months’ jail for the attack.

All 900 students and 100 staff were considered close contacts.

A customer has described the moments that led up to a Service NSW employee being stabbed multiple times in an alleged unprovoked attack in Sydney's CBD.

Daniel Horta was in the Haymarket branch when the 55-year-old worker was knifed multiple times in the lower back, chest and shoulder at about 9.20am today.

Horta alleged the man raised his voice with an employee after he was told he didn't have enough documents.

READ MORE: Official punched in the face during meeting

"Then he started to shout and punch the server, who was an older guy," Horta said.

"Usually I'm not the type of guy that would react in these types of situations but I was the closest male guy so I had to do something."

A 37-year-old man "well known to police" was arrested and has been charged with wounding with intent over the alleged attack.

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His alleged victim was in a serious condition when he was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital.

He has since undergone surgery and is with family in the intensive care unit in a stable condition.

Service NSW said the Haymarket branch will remain closed today and tomorrow as staff work with NSW Police investigating the incident.

"After a short conversation with a male employee, a 37-year-old male has produced a bladed knife in an unprovoked attack and has stabbed a male employee a number of times in the torso," Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said.

"The 37-year-old male was immediately detained by Service NSW staff and customers."

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Fileman said the man was facing a "substantial custodial sentence".

"We take knife crime very very seriously and this is no exception," he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said it was "horrifying" in a tweet.

"The thoughts of our government and our state are with this worker and their family at what is no doubt a very difficult time," Minns said.

"To all the staff at Service NSW and those first responders on the scene – thank you."

https://twitter.com/ChrisMinnsMP/status/1654335299567198212

Secretary of NSW Department of Customer Service Emma Hogan said the incident was "awful and upsetting".

"Our thoughts are with our injured teammate and his family as well as our colleagues who were present and witnessed the incident," Hogan said.

"His family are with him and we are in touch with them and we are offering our full support."

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She thanked everyone who assisted at the scene.

"Our frontline staff come to work every day to help our customers and those same staff deserve to come home safely," Hogan said.

"The safety and welfare of our teams is the most important thing to us and we are all devastated by this morning's event.

"Our team members who witnessed it have all been offered the appropriate support and are now safely at home with loved ones."

The man's bail has been refused and he will appear in court today.

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A Sydney high school teacher has pleaded guilty to charges of filming female students without their consent.

Science teacher Eric Wong has admitted to filming schoolgirls inappropriately and without their consent inside his classroom at Cammeraygal High School.

The 28-year-old is now banned from the school and is not allowed to speak to students, teach, tutor or film online tutorials for his YouTube account.

READ MORE: Official punched in the face during meeting

Wong was caught when a 16-year-old girl came forward in December 2022, and told the school her teacher had tried to film her as she completed a survey at his workbench after class.

He was arrested a few days later. His laptop was seized and officers allegedly found 90 videos of female students in years 10-12, where he discretely filmed up their skirts and down their blouses during experiments.

Police then seized another computer where they uncovered 300 photos of a similar nature.

"Forensic examination of video files demonstrates brazen, predatory and opportunistic behaviour," prosecutors said.

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Wong has been suspended without pay by the school as the police investigation has unfolded.

"We are deeply concerned by this matter and relieved it is approaching a conclusion in the courts," a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education said.

"We have been working closely with NSW Police since the allegations were made. The teacher was immediately removed from the school and suspended without pay since his arrest.

"The safety and welfare of students are our top priorities and wellbeing support has been provided to students at the school."

Wong has pleaded guilty to two charges and will be sentenced next week.

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Kristen Gaunt was awarded $1000 in damages for the ‘unnecessary’ comments.

Motorists urged to drive with caution as Northland roads start to flood

A man has been charged with murder after an international student died following a home invasion in Darwin earlier this week.

Bangladeshi student Ishaqur Rahman Sifat, 23, was critically injured by an intruder who police say assaulted him while he was asleep at his home in Millner on Wednesday.

He was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital where he passed away from his injuries yesterday.

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Northern Territory Police arrested a 29-year-old man yesterday who has since been charged with murder.

The man has also been charged with aggravated burglary and theft.

He was denied bail to face Darwin Local Court on May 8.

The alleged attack sparked a combined vigil and protest held by his classmates from Charles Darwin University.

Both Federal ministers and students attended to pay their respects and to call for more to be done to keep Northern Territory residents safe in their homes.

"It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of the passing of our beloved friend and fellow student, MD Ishaqur Rahman Sifat," Charles Darwin University's Bangladeshi Student Association said in a statement yesterday.

"He fought bravely in the ICU but sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:35 PM today.

"Our whole community is shaken by this tragic loss."

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Public transport leaders are considering three options to help tackle congestion.

Karamu High School returned to the stage for the first time in five years.