Tony Abbott is defending his government’s unpopular first budget, saying it’s “fundamentally honest” and the right thing for the nation.

Beginning his post-budget media blitz, the prime minister has conceded voters won’t like a lot of the measures.

But they are necessary, he says.

“I want to do what’s right for the country, not what’s right for the government,” he told the Nine Network in his first comments since the budget was handed down on Tuesday.

The government was being up front with the Australian people about the state of the nation’s finances.

“This is a fundamentally honest budget,” Mr Abbott said.