This statement discusses trends in the fiscal balance, cash surplus, balance sheet data (net debt and net worth) and net interest payments for the non-financial public sector at the Australian Government and State/local levels of government, and also at the consolidated level. These indicators are discussed in greater detail in Statement 8.

This statement provides a broader context in which to consider developments in the Australian Government's budget.

For further information on the data used in the charts and tables in this statement, see Appendix B: Data. This statement uses the convention that references to the States include the Territories, and that the combined State and local government sector is denoted as the State/local sector and includes Territory governments unless otherwise stated.