At a doorstoop in Canberra this morning, Wayne Swan claims this evening's budget will be 'light on politics and heavy on responsibility.'
Swan said the country should 'turn the success of the global recession into enduring gains for all Australians.'
He would 'dedicate the budget to getting back to surplus as quickly as possible.'
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Starting by paying tribute to public servants, he said that the budget will see the government 'putting in place the long term reforms, so as Australia goes forward, we all prosper.
He again stressed Australia's economic health and the government's response to the GFC, and called 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.
Other facets put forward in recent days include a big boost for health spending, and the 40 per cent slug on the so-called 'super profits' of mining companies, as a result of the Henry Tax Review.
