It's been a horror week for Scott Morrison, with unprecedented levels of bloodletting, allegations of bullying, lying and of politicizing flood funding. Then, Michael Towke - the man who has accused Scott Morrison of "racial vilification" in a Liberal Party ballot more than a decade ago, claimed a federal cabinet minister had texted him to say "I believe you" in response to his allegations.... The only glimmer of hope for the Prime Minister was the High Court's decision to not intervene in an ugly factional battle in NSW that threatened the party's chances in a number of crucial seats. Labor leader Anthony Albanese, meanwhile, is positioned where he told his team he'd be as the fourth quarter begins - kicking with the wind and ahead in the polls. But momentum in politics - like sport - can shift under your feet - and the government is hoping that the Prime Minister's visit to the governor-general sparks a second miracle.

David Speers interviews Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. David Crowe of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, ABC's own Laura Tingle, and Phil Coorey of the Australian Financial Review discuss the issues of the week. Mike Bowers talks the weeks in pictures with Sarah Ison.

David Crowe of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, the ABC's own Laura Tingle and Phil Coorey of the Australian Financial Review discuss the issues of the week.

David Speers interviews Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Mike Bowers talks the week in pictures with Sarah Ison.

It won't be today – but some time in the next two weeks the Prime Minister will call the election. He's hoping the cash hand-outs, petrol excise cut and the barrell of money for regional infrastructure in Tuesday's Budget - will be enough to put the Coalition back in the race. That – and a much sharper focus on Labor's plans for office. To that end – Anthony Albanese immediately backed all the Budget goodies – while pledging further spending to lift standards in aged care. But as Scott Morrison prepares to fire the starters' gun on the campaign – there's one major hick-up. An internal Liberal Party brawl over pre-selections is still before the courts – and spilled over into an extraordinary attack in parliament on the Prime Minister's character.

Billions of dollars were announced this week for dams, roads, a vaccine hub, Beef Week and more. The Prime Minister's been on a spending spree - and that's before the Budget is even delivered. On Tuesday comes the main course – we'll find out just how the government plans to ease cost of living pressures. There's speculation low-and-middle income earners, pensioners and the unemployed will all be given cash hand-outs – and the fuel excise cut. Amidst all this spending - it's worth remembering the Budget remains deep in deficit. But a stronger recovery and booming commodity prices are helping the bottom line – giving the government some room to move as it desperately tries to win back voters before calling the election – possibly within the next week.

Guardian Australia's Sarah Martin, John Kehoe of the AFR, and The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's Shane Wright talk the issues of the week.

David Speers interviews Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Guardian Australia's Sarah Martin, John Kehoe of the AFR, and The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's Shane Wright discuss the issues of the week. Mike Bowers talks the week in pictures with Fiona Katauskas.

David Speers interviews Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers.