Repairing budget not a fetish: Abbott

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says getting the budget under control is not just a fetish and will lead to a stronger economy.

In the lead-up to his government's first budget on May 13, Mr Abbott says he is pursuing a stronger, more robust and prosperous economy.

"We aren't trying to get the budget under control because we are budget fetishists, we are trying to get the budget under control because a strong budget means a stronger economy," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.

However, he said the nation was facing very significant budget challenges in the short-term.

"If we handle them the way I'm sure we will, over time we will have a significantly stronger economy and significantly greater opportunities to spend on the real priorities of our nation."

Mr Abbott, announcing that Air Marshal Mark Binskin would be Australia's next defence force chief, added: "A stronger economy means that we will be able to increase defence spending so that our nation is as secure as it can possibly can be."