Budget to deliver fiscal discipline

Next week's federal budget will launch a new era of fiscal discipline, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Three days out from delivering his first budget, Mr Swan says the priority is to tackle inflation, suggesting there will be no last minute spending sprees.

"This budget is going to be a budget that is dedicated to tackling the inflation challenge, and that means there has to be substantial expenditure restraint," Mr Swan told reporters in Canberra.

"What you will see on budget night is a new era of fiscal discipline and a new era of investment.

"I think the Australian people have tired with

the approach of the previous government of suddenly turning up on budget night with a whole lot of bells and whistles."

Mr Swan will spend Saturday with Treasury putting the final touches on the budget.

He said one area where spending would be cut was tax concessions and welfare eligibility for high-income earners.

"I think people who are on the highest of incomes don't necessarily need government assistance," Mr Swan said.

"What I think we need to do in this budget is to pull back some of those tax concessions which are neither fair or efficient."

Mr Swan said working on the budget had been the "most satisfying experience" of his life.

"I have found it a challenge. But I have also found it incredibly satisfying, spending so long going through each of the departments has given me a sense of where the priorities have gone wrong in Australia."

Mr Swan said the budget would also be an opportunity for the government to "implement all of its election commitments".

"It's very important for the government to demonstrate to the people that the platform we put forward in the election last year will be implemented in full in this budget."