(file image) Photo: 123RF
The government's finances are tracking close to forecast but showing some softness with a lower tax take.
Official figures show a deficit of $2.36 billion for the seven months ended January, fractionally below forecast.
The tax take was down by $434 million at $64.7 billion, with lower GST, personal tax, and customs duties only partly offset by higher company tax receipts.
Expenses were $200 million below budget, with lower health and welfare payments.
Net debt was notably lower at 18.9 percent of the value of the economy compared with a forecast of nearly 20 percent, helped by an increase in the value of investments.
