Australia Sees First Budget Surplus in 15 Years; $19 Billion Boost From Soaring Commodities

Australia Sees First Budget Surplus in 15 Years; $19 Billion Boost From Soaring Commodities
Haulage truck at the Rio Tinto West Angelas iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of West Australia, on July 9, 2014. AAP Image/Alan Porritt
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Strong global commodity prices have benefited Australia’s federal budget, which is officially back in black this year for the first time in 15 years.

The Office Department of Finance revealed on Friday in its latest monthly financial statement that the Australian federal government’s underlying cash balance in the 12 months to May was $19 billion (US$12.7 billion), much higher than the originally forecasted $4.2 billion surplus.