Debt déjà vu Labor puts us in the Red Again

Labor Treasurer Wayne Swan has confirmed Australians’ worst fears – the $22 billion dollar surplus Labor inherited from the former Coalition Government has been squandered, Australia faces a deficit of $58 billion and one million unemployed.

Federal LNP Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said ‘the economic conservative’ Kevin Rudd had proved that all Labor Governments were the same – poor economic managers, poor policy makers and reckless spenders.

“Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his Labor Treasurer have taken Australia’s once strong surplus into a $58 billion deficit after inheriting one of the world’s most enviable economies,” Mr Scott said. 

“And with Labor leading the nation into a public net debt of $188 billion, the apparent positives from this Budget will be short-lived as all Australians – including those not even born yet – will be burdened with paying back yet another Labor debt.

“Regional Australia will be hit incredibly hard as the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry cops a $12 million cut in funding.

“And in a further slap in the face for non-metropolitan Australians, Land and Water Australia has been abolished and $12 million in funding has been stripped from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.  

“Higher debt, higher unemployment, higher taxes – Wayne Swan’s legacy will be that he  managed a  turn-around of $78 billion in just 18 months.

“Only two things are certain under Labor – debt and taxes,” he said.

Wayne robs regional Australia

Labor Treasurer has robbed Regional Australia, LNP Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said today.

Mr Scott, who last week called on the Rudd Government to keep its hand out of the hip pockets of rural Australians, said he was disappointed with the colossal $908 million cut to the budget of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

“Labor Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has repeatedly claimed he understands the vital contribution Agriculture makes to the national economy, yet he is allowing his Treasurer to slash Department funding by a devastating 32 per cent,” Mr Scott said.

“During the election campaign Labor promised they would increase funding for research into agriculture and farming practices, yet the Rudd Government has taken $12 million from the highly reputable Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

“Agriculture was the only sector to record any growth in the last quarter, but sadly they the primary producers of this country have been treated with contempt at every turn by the Rudd Government.

“The failure of Labor to support our agriculture sector will not stop at the farm gate – make no mistake about it, working families will also cop this at the supermarket check-out.  

“Labor cannot afford to keep its promises because of its reckless spending,” he said.