On the left, The Sunday Telegraph; three days later, on the right, The Daily Telegraph …

It’s a mug’s game, budget speculation: strategic leaks to test the wind, hurried re-writes when the reaction is volatile.

A levy, it now seems, isn’t going to fly. The base has spoken. Just look at the News Corp editorials today …

The Australian:

“… it is deeply troubling, and puzzling, that the Abbott government appears poised to announce a temporary deficit levy in its first, emblematic budget.”

The Daily Telegraph:

“A long-term problem demands a long-term solution. Another levy would be a short-term solution. Even worse, it would be a short-term solution that actually adds to the greater problem.”

Herald Sun:

“Tony Abbott risks a profound voter backlash from middle Australia with his Budget debt tax. It will breach his “no surprises, no excuses” election commitment and threatens to be a millstone the Federal Government will carry to the next poll in 2016 or early 2017.”

The Courier-Mail:

“If this is an old-fashioned Canberra kite-flying exercise, Mr Abbott should shoot it down as quickly as it was launched. It’s not needed, Australia doesn’t want it and it will be a breach of faith voters will not forget.”

The Advertiser:

“Ripping money from people’s pockets risks denting business confidence and making it harder for those who work hard to get ahead.”

Even Miranda Devine accuses Prime Minister Tony Abbott of betrayal. Game over.