An Apology to our readers

Crikey had intended to provide its 45,500 daily recipients with authoritative, instant and independent analysis of tomorrow’s Federal Budget on the day of its delivery. We had hoped to publish a special edition soon after the Treasurer began his speech in the House of Representatives, shortly after 7.30pm tomorrow. We will not be able to do this.

For the third year, the Treasurer’s office has refused Crikey permission to attend the Budget lock-up, a facility extended, according to the cut-and-paste rejection letter we received late last Friday, ”… to a limited number of organisations that focus on providing information and analysis that is widely available”. That means organisations like The Illawarra Mercury, The Border Mail, The Newcastle Herald and The Gold Coast Bulletin. But not Crikey.

Our coverage of Peter Costello’s 12th Budget will now begin at 6am Wednesday with a special Budget edition that will be emailed to our subscribers in addition to our standard 1pm delivery. It will include our usual blend of considered analysis, news and opinion, plus a comprehensive survey of how other media outlets viewed the Budget. We might even mention The Border Mail.