Abbott pledge at odds with claim
Tony Abbott's pledge that carbon tax will go, but the compensation will stay, sits uncomfortably with the central claim of his budget reply - that Australia faces a ''budget emergency'' thanks to five years of Labor mismanagement.
His decision to use the proceeds from several cuts that have already been announced also underscores the question: where will he find the savings to pay for other priorities, such as the promised modest cut in company tax.
And his decision to delay by two years the increase in compulsory superannuation, to save $1.1 billion in 2016-17, could be seen as showing a lack of commitment that may see this reform discarded altogether. After all, the Liberals have form in this area.
Although he warned recently that an incoming Coalition government would have to take ''unpopular'' decisions that would ''hurt'' people, there was no pain in his budget reply. Rather, it laid out laudable objectives without saying how they will be achieved.
Casting the September 14 election as a ''tipping point in the life of our country'', Abbott promised honest government that would live within its means, but he failed the test he set for budget replies when he was in government.
Back in 2003, he said the task for an opposition leader on budget-reply night was to ''tell us exactly what will be cut to pay for any increase in spending that he proposes''. On Thursday night, he could only offer a down payment.
One surprise was the only passing reference to his self-described signature policy of paid parental leave, to be paid for by a levy on big business that would be offset by lower company tax. ''There'll be an affordable and responsible paid parental leave scheme because women should get their full wage while on maternity leave, just as men should get theirs while on annual leave,'' was all he said.
With a mix of prudence and pragmatism, the Opposition Leader says he may well keep all of the $43 billion in savings in Wayne Swan's budget, including the axing of Peter Costello's baby bonus, while describing them as ''objectionable''.
The restraint did not extend to his critique of the government's failure to deliver the surplus: ''If a public company made these sorts of claims its directors would most likely face serious charges rather than asking to be re-elected.''
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/federal-budget/abbott-pledge-at-odds-with-claim-20130516-2jpei.html#ixzz2TUrsN4T3
"Back in 2003, he said the task for an opposition leader on budget-reply night was to ''tell us exactly what will be cut to pay for any increase in spending that he proposes''. On Thursday night, he could only offer a down payment."
Still waiting.
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