Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey has attempted to pile the pressure on Treasurer Wayne Swan prior to tonight's budget, attacking Labour's plans to save ' hundreds of millions', while simultaneously spending 'billions'.
'The test will be how much they're forecasting, how much they've spent, and how much they'll continue to spend', Hockey said.
Swan earlier said he would dedicate the budget to getting back to surplus as 'quickly as possible.'
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'Wayne Swan will never deliver a surplus budget', Hockey predicted.
When it comes to the mining 'super' tax which the coalition - along with the mining industry – has attacked, Hockey said it was a 'tax on hope', which simply presumes that the commodity boom will continue.
The key message was simple - that Labour's budget would lead to economic concerns down the line.
'Look at their language', he said. 'Hundreds of millions in savings, billions on new spending, particularly on health.'
Swan touts both boosts and cuts
Earlier, Swan stressed Australia's economic health and the government's response to the GFC, calling on Australia to 'use the same energy we had in the global recession and apply that to getting back to surplus as soon as possible.'
Key elements of the budget touted by the treasurer included:
- The 'most significant reforms in health since the introduction of medicare'
- A 'big boost' to superannuation and savings.
- Tax cuts for small business.
- Essential investment in infrastructure.
For comprehensive coverage of the budget today, check out our Budget 2010 minisite.
