In the week since the Gillard Government delivered a budget in surplus in 2012-13, with surpluses growing over the forward estimates, the Opposition has already taken a wrecking ball to it.
Tony Abbott has made clear he will oppose sensible measures aimed at spreading the benefits of the boom and helping Australians with cost of living pressures.
Last week, Mr Abbott opposed the SchoolKids Bonus that will give Australian families $410 (for primary school students) or $820 (for high school students) each year to assist with the costs of education.
And even though hes said he wont oppose the family tax benefit increase of up to $600 a year, Mr Abbott has left open the possibility hell take this money back from Australian families too.
HOST: But youre very much leaving open the prospect of removing that increased family payment?
ABBOTT: I am not saying this particular measure is there forever, but certainly its not something that we are inclined to oppose at this time.
SKY NEWS 11 MAY 2012
The Opposition still say theyd repeal the Minerals Resource Rent Tax if elected, preferring to put money back into the pockets of wealthy miners than support Australian families, but Mr Abbott continues to dodge questions about how hell fund the payments that will come from it, such as the increase in superannuation from 9 percent to 12 percent.We arent going to support it in the Parliament but if it goes through we will not try to rescind it. We do accept that it is very important that people have adequate retirement incomes, particularly with an ageing population.
TONY ABBOTT 18 NOVEMBER 2011
Tony Abbott has also indicated the Opposition will reinstate defence spending of up to $5.4 billion over the forwards, and Mr Hockey has criticised the changes to duty-free cigarettes and increase in the passenger movement charge.Last week, Mr Abbott only announced one policy in his Budget Reply speech the same student languages policy the Coalition have pitched every year since 2010.
Unsurprisingly, it was announced without any costings but the sector has estimated it could cost as much as $100 million per year.
Yet again, Mr Abbott is recklessly making promises he cant fund.
And his Shadow Finance spokesperson has promised a surplus of $15 billion in 2012-13.
Tony Abbott has said he supports a surplus, but its already clear that he plans to take a wrecking ball to it.
If Mr Abbott and Mr Hockey want to have any economic credibility, they need to start putting figures on the table and not just tell Australians to wait and see.
