Kevin Rudd’s first budget! What do you think?
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says his government’s
first Budget
is the beginning of an era of responsible economic management. The 2008-09 Budget handed down by Treasurer Wayne Swan forecasts a higher than expected surplus of $21.7 billion for 2008-09.
The government’s “razor gang” also slashed $33 billion from public spending during the next four years, while the budget is handing out $46.7 billion worth of personal tax cuts as part of a $55 billion “working families support package”.
“We have generated a surplus which is the second-highest for a decade,” Mr Rudd told Parliament. “We needed to take on the fight against inflation. That meant ensuring when it came to handling of government outlays we didn’t perpetuate the spendathon of the members opposite as we have seen in recent years of government expenditure mounting and mounting and mounting. Instead we had to send that back and reverse direction.”
What do you think of the budget? I wonder what the other guy thinks. Have your say right here! Make a comment…..
Tags: australia , budget , first budget , john howard , kevin rudd , rudd government , Two Flat Whites , wayne swan