SYDNEY, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Australia's conservative government on Monday forecast its budget deficit for the fiscal year to June 2018 would amount to A$23.6 billion ($18.04 billion), down from an original prediction of A$29.4 billion.
In his half year fiscal outlook, Treasurer Scott Morrison projected the budget would get back to surplus by 2020/21, unchanged from his forecast in May.
A combination of stronger job creation, lower unemployment payments and higher earnings from commodity exports helped offset weakness in wages and consumer spending.
($1 = 1.3079 Australian dollars)