Budget numbers can't be delivered: Burke

Labor finance spokesman Tony Burke says neither his party nor the coalition will deliver the numbers outlined in the May budget.

Mr Burke, speaking at a National Press Club debate with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann on Wednesday, said there were holes in the government's costings because of the budget measures it had abandoned or changed.

"Neither the government nor Labor will be able to deliver the numbers that are published in the budget," Mr Burke said on Wednesday.