GONCALVES: ... I asked Finance Minister, Penny Wong.
WONG: A return to surplus is very important for the economy, its very important for businesses, its very important for Australian households. At this time, its also about ensuring we have a buffer in uncertain times and we know that the global economy is an uncertain place.
GONCALVES: Its been labelled a fair go Budget today. Who or which parts of the community will be getting more of a fair go?
WONG: Budgets are about priorities. Theyre about making sure you find the room to make spending decisions, making sure that you prioritise certain areas, and this Budget will be a Labor budget. It will be a Budget that gives priority to low and middle income Australia. It will be a Labor Budget and a Budget that delivers a surplus.
GONCALVES: How much of the savings will be genuine savings in the new year? Now, some economists have suggested theres a bit of smoke and mirrors to get the surplus, shifting spending like the Schoolkids Bonus into this financial year.
WONG: The Schoolkids Bonus: theres a very good reason why weve changed the policy design there and thats because rather than doing this in the context of claims on your tax, were going to give people this assistance upfront. And thats because we understand it does cost to put children through school and families deserve the sort of support that we put in place and we want them to access it. So theres very sound policy reasons for that.
But can I say that when it comes to making sure the surplus is delivered: the Opposition today said, look, we support a surplus, well the acids on them. The test is on them. Are they going to support the Governments savings measures in the Budget? Because if they refuse to do so, theyll be seen as nothing other than seeking to wreck the surplus yet more Coalition and Tony Abbott negativity.
GONCALVES: Speaking of the Opposition, they also said that the Schoolkids Bonus today is a bit of carbon tax compensation. Can you blame them?
WONG: Its surprising, I would have thought, for the Coalition to be saying we shouldnt be supporting families in terms of their education costs for kids. We know that education is a priority. Its a priority for this Government, its a priority for Prime Minister Gillard. We understand in the Labor Government that education is how you ensure opportunity. And part of that is making sure you support families in putting their children through school and thats what weve done.
GONCALVES: Finance Minister Penny Wong there.
ENDS