AUSTRALIA 
Swan, Rudd defend budget
Wednesday, 14 May, 2008The Treasurer and Prime Minister are out selling the Government's budget, insisting it's tough enough to keep inflation in check.
They are defending their decision to apply a means test to some benefits for families earning more than $150,000.
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And they are clear about their target audience.
The sales job begins, with this Budget's prizes all aimed at one group: working families.
The Treasurer has unveiled a $5.5 billion dollar package for them, along with a $21.7 billion dollar surplus, and $7 billion more in savings.
He says it's tough but fair. "You shouldn't confuse tough with stupid," Mr Swan said.
But was it enough to curb inflation?
Opposition leader Brendan Nelson says "No".
"This is a Labor Government which is proposing to increase the spending of your money by $34 billion over 5 years, savings of $16billion, jack up your taxes by $9billion and then seek to tell you that in some way they're going to make life easier for you," he said.
"I ask the Treasurer, how can he reduce inflation by increasing prices? What kind of voodoo economics is he peddling?"
But Mr Swan says Labor is doing a lot more than the Liberals to address the problem of inflation.
"It's a bit rich getting that question from the Liberal Party. They're the best friend inflation ever had," the treasurer said.
Some economists say more rate rises are still possible and the budget should've been tougher.
"You want to take the burden of high mortgage interest rates off suburban Australia you needed a tougher budget than this," Chris Richardson, Director of Access Economics, said.
But Mr Swan says the Australian economy would not have been able to sustain further cuts.
"If we took some of the advice we are being given to cut spending and to rein in demand, you could slam the economy into a wall," he said.
Instead, the government went cautiously.
"The rabbit out of the hat in terms of previous budgets is that we've honoured our pre-election commitments," Mr Rudd said.
Not quite all.
The prime minister is conceding he promised to set a means test on Family Tax Benefit B at $250,000.
It's set at a $150,000.
So too the baby bonus.
On that, the opposition can't make up its mind.
"It is a means test I think it's probably around the right level," opposition treasury spokesman Malcolm Turnbull said.
Liberal backbencher Wilson Tuckey says some don't like it.
"I've been in the racing business for many, many years and we tend to look at the high achievers as those who should have foals".
The opposition leader won't say where it should be.
"We'll just look at the fine print on this. 22 I mean, let's just have a look at this," Mr Nelson said.
The Opposition is also looking again at tax rises, especially on pre-mixed alcoholic drinks.
The Government says it's a health measure and closes a tax loophole, but it's slated to raise $3 billion.
The opposition thinks it's more about revenue, and may block it in the Senate.
"We will fight for our proposals in the Senate if we need to," Mr Swan vowed.
Source: SBS

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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan deliver their first federal budget. (Getty)
