Kardashian nuns more likely than surplus

There's a better chance of the Kardashians becoming nuns than the budget returning to surplus in 2020/21, a leading economist says.

Deloitte Access Economics' Chris Richardson told Ten's The Project the forecast featured in Tuesday's mid-year budget update is based on several unlikely assumptions.

"There's a better chance of the Kardashians becoming nuns, Donald Trump becoming president of Islamic State (or) Clive Palmer becoming bachelor of the year," he joked.