Abbott wants to unlock 'latent energy'

The prime minister is out spruiking his budget in Tasmania, saying he wants it to unlock 'latent energy' in the economy.

In case anyone has missed the message, the prime minister and the treasurer want Australians to "have a go".

Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey have hit the pavement on Friday, spruiking their second budget to voters.

Mr Abbott was rubbing shoulders with voters in Tasmania urging people to take advantage of budget measures such as the small business instant asset write-off and an overhaul of childcare benefits.

He wants the budget to unlock hidden energy in the economy.

"There is a whole lot of latent energy in our country right now - we want to unlock that potential," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Mr Hockey was selling the same message in Brisbane.

"We're asking people to have a go ... we're giving them the incentives to have a go," he told reporters.

Mr Hockey says momentum is building within the economy, which is good news for businesses and jobs.

He admonished the Queensland treasurer Curtis Pitt for declaring the state was in recession, saying he'd met with Curtis Pitt and instructed him to be "very careful" about using the word "recession".

"Queensland is not in recession - he has got his facts wrong and there is certainly no evidence of that from the national level," Mr Hockey said.

Queensland would be given a fair go on everything, except the upcoming State of Origin, the Sydneysider joked.


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Source: AAP


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