In Question Time today, the Prime Minister refused to rule out his government making further cuts, including to hospitals, schools and family support, which will hurt Australians more.

 

Labor repeatedly called on the Abbott Government to rule out more cuts and broken promises, following the Treasurer’s threat today that he is willing to inflict even more pain to rescue his shambolic Budget.

 

The Prime Minister comprehensively failed to guarantee that schools, hospitals and families won’t be hit with a double-whammy of unfair Budget cuts.

 

On radio this morning, Joe Hockey threatened the Senate that if he didn’t get his way, he would bypass Parliament completely by making cuts via regulation.

 

Now, if the Senate chooses to block savings initiatives, then we need to look at other savings initiatives that may not require legislation and I would ask the Greens and the Labor Party who between them hold 35 votes on the floor of the Senate - to understand that there are alternatives for a Government.

 

JOE HOCKEY – AM PROGRAM – 16 JULY 2014

 

Tony Abbott is already cutting $50 billion from hospitals – and he wants to cut more.

 

He is cutting $30 billion from our schools – and he wants to cut more.

 

And he is leaving a typical Australian family more than $6000 a year worse off – and he wants to cut even more.

 

Tony Abbott was more than willing to rule out including the family home in the means test for the Age Pension, but he wouldn’t rule out abolishing Family Tax Benefit B – as recommended by his Commission of Audit.

 

And he wouldn’t rule out increasing his unfair GP Tax to 15 dollars – also recommended by his Commission of Audit.

 

The Government’s arrogant threat to hurt Australians more won’t hide the fact that they have failed to get this unfair Budget through the Parliament.

 

If the Prime Minister wants to blame someone for the chaos his unfair Budget has caused – he should start with his inept Treasurer.

 

Ordinary Australians shouldn’t have to pay the price for this government’s incompetence and arrogance.

 

Labor will continue to fight this Budget because it is unfair, short-sighted and based on lies to the Australian people.

 

WEDNESDAY, 16 JULY 2014

 

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