Here is Swan today on ABC radio on whether the RSPT...

Here is Swan today on ABC radio on whether the RSPT "negotiations" will leave a hole in the budget.

"That is just complete rubbish. Our return to surplus is in no way dependent upon revenues from the mining tax, and is in no way affected by the outcome of the negotiations that we are having with the mining industry."

The only way the budget won't be affected is if the outcome results in creaming off the same amount. Either that or Swan has just won the Nobel prize in economincs for his ability to "create money" out of thin air.