Ninemsn | Federal Budget 2014: Tony Abbott flags tougher budget than John Howard's ... Sydney Morning Herald The Pulse Live Federal Budget · Federal budget news and analysis. Tony Abbott has flagged a tougher budget than the Howard government's slash-and-burn first budget in 1996, telling his party room the Coalition government faces a ''watershed moment''. Tony Abbott tells Coalition team the budget is a 'watershed moment' Australian government promises tough first budget Budget a 'watershed moment', Abbott says |