With the government’s election focused budget released it’s now a tax showdown between the two sides.

Finance minister Mathias Cormann says the government is committed to the whole of their seven-year personal tax relief plan and is determined the three-part package not be broken up.

Meanwhile, shadow finance minister Jim Chalmers says Labor is disappointed with the government’s inflexibility on their tax plan. “It’s a real shame that they’re saying that they will hold those lower and middle income earners hostage for the rest of the package.”

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.