We’ll get a clearer indication of Bill Shorten’s strategy when he delivers his budget reply on Thursday night. His speech has taken on extra significance now.
Scott Morrison’s budget speech held no surprises on energy, after months of debate over the National Energy Guarantee. The real news comes in July with the release of a crucial ACCC report on power prices.
The three part plan is the centrepiece of Tuesday night’s budget, which also brings forward by a year the forecast return to surplus and the peak of Australia’s net debt.
Burgeoning tax revenues have enabled Treasurer Scott Morrison to bring down a budget that will put the government in a better position to fight the next election.
While the budget will come in for its share of criticism, looked at overall it is designed not to offend an electorate that has already turned off the government.
Some have set the course for electoral victory, others have tanked. In any case, federal budgets are important moments in the life of governments – especially those that are a little wobbly.
Jenni Henderson, The Conversation et Rosanna Hunt, The Conversation
The 2018-19 federal budget will be handed down to parliament on May 8. But before that, take our quiz to test out your memories of the previous budgets.
There’s never been a better time for tax reform. But as governments have tried (and stumbled) over the years the burden has shifted to individual taxpayers and the latest budget looks no different.