The road to recoevery or the tough budget that wasn't? Opinions are divided on Treasurer Wayne Swan's second budget, which was handed down last night against a backdrop of the biggest global recession since the depression. But while the budget wasn't as tough as predicted, the sting in the tail is the 57.3 billion dollar deficit. This has got a lot of people worried. Featured in story: Associate Professor of Finance and Economics from The University of Western Sydney, Steve Keen.

The big loser in the budget was the environment, in particular investment in renewable energy - that's according to Greens Leader Bob Brown. The Greens have descirbed the budget as a missed Opportunity to move to a low carbon economy. The budget does allow 1.5 billion dollars for a solar flagship program - but is this enough to really get the solar industry going? Featured in story: Greens Leader Bob Brown and Dr Mark Diesendorf, Senior Lecturer at The Environment Institute at The University of New South Wales.

Its smiles all round for pensioners today as last night treasurer Wayne Swan announced an increase to their weekly income. Single pensioners will receive an extra $32.49 a week, while couples will receive an extra $10.14 a week. So how will this affect they way pensioners live? Featured in this report: Ian Yates, Acting Chief Executive of the Council of the Aging over 50’s and pensioners Gwen and Peter.

With all the talk about the Rudd Government 'closing the gap' on Indigenous health, and creating a socially inclusive society; has this week's Federal budget missed the mark? Featured in this report: Director of The Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at the Australian National University - Jon Altman.

While the Government’s decision to increase the pension rate has been universally welcomed, there’s a feeling that some groups have been left behind and ignored. Sole parents and the unemployed seem to have received nothing from this budget. Feautred in this story: Clare Martin, CEO of ACOSS and Kate Beaumont, President of the National Welfare Rights Network.

While the commercial broadcasters have sorted out their own deal on access and funding for digital radio, the community radio sector had their fingers crossed for enough dollars in this years budget to make the transition. They got it – and some money for training the many volunteers who work in community radio stations around the country. Not as much as hoped but at least enough to train station managers in smaller stations and to be able to afford the infrastructure needed to go digital. However the the community television sector was completely ignored by the budget - which means that when Australia goes to set top boxes – there won’t be any more community television on our screens. Story features Deborah Welch, President of the Community Broadcasting Association and Cameron Manderson, digital campaign Coordinator for Channel 31.