surplus turning into huge deficit, page-21

Swans biggest mistake was over promising and undeliverying.

He should have followed Canada's lead, they gave themselves breathing room by promising a return to surplus in 2016-17.

For all you back seat Treasurers who think the Coalition could have done better:

* Canada ran 11 years of consecutive budget surpluses (better than Costello's record) up until the GFC.

* Post GFC, Canada will have run 8 years of consecutive budget deficits up to 2016-17.

You won't hear Abbott or Hockey telling that to the electorate.