The Liberal Party has quietly removed a mug promoting a return to federal budget surplus from its official merchandise range, amid mounting speculation the Federal Government wont put the 2019-2020 budget Back In Black after all.

The mug, introduced to the partys swag collection before the Coalitions stunning 2019 federal election victory, echoed TreasurerJosh Frydenbergs core promise that his party will deliver the first budget surplus in more than a decade.

For $35, punters could sip their coffee and promote the partys fiscal management at the same time.

But, as Twitter userMatt Burkepondered yesterday, it was unusual the party still offered the limited edition mug for sale. After all,Decembers midyear updatesaw the party cop to stagnating growth, while the drought, a historic bushfire season, and the global coronavirus outbreak continue to hammer Australias economy.

Soon after Burke asked how the mug was still on sale, it disappeared from partys webstore. A cached version of the page states the mug sold out, but attempting to visit the page now delivers a big, fat 404 notice.

Its an awfully curious set of circumstances.As it stands, the official 2019-2020 Budget website states the Coalition will oversee a surplus of $7.1 billion,but well have to wait a little longer to see if that really comes to fruition.

Selling mugs for $35 a pop seems like a solid moneymaking tactic in the interim, though.