The Nationals Member for Riverina, Kay Hull, has said Kevin Rudd’s great big new tax on mining must be stopped so that families in the Riverina do not face higher electricity and grocery prices.
“The Riverina needs a government that is committed to paying off Labor’s $93 billion of public debt, supporting families and securing jobs. The Coalition will do this,” Mrs. Hull said.
“Kevin Rudd has delivered the biggest budget deficit on record of $57 billion, and it will now proceed to borrow $700 million every week for three years.
“On Thursday night, the Coalition announced a plan to put an end to Kevin Rudd’s reckless spending and stop his great big new mining tax which threatens our economy and will send Australian jobs overseas.
“Tony Abbott’s Budget Reply outlined a better and more responsible way to manage the Budget, and a way to return to surplus and pay off Labor’s debt.
“He also highlighted how Mr Rudd’s high-taxing, high-spending Budget is a danger to the economy.
“The Coalition will oppose Mr Rudd’s great big new mining tax that is a massive threat to Australia’s economic future.
“Tony Abbott is taking the hard, but necessary, decisions that Mr Rudd has shirked.
“The Budget confirmed that Mr Rudd no longer stands for anything. In contrast, the Coalition stands first and foremost for strong economic management.
“The Coalition wants an Australia that is prosperous, united and respected; an Australia where migrants are welcome but borders are secure.
“The Coalition will deliver a fair dinkum paid parental leave scheme which gives women six months leave at their full pay but won’t hit small business. That is real time and real money to care for their newborns. The Coalition’s paid parental leave policy is good for all those families that need two incomes to pay the mortgage because it will help them when they are most financially vulnerable.
“To rein in Kevin Rudd’s reckless spending the Coalition will introduce a two year recruitment freeze on public servants, reducing numbers through natural attrition such as when people resign or retire. Uniformed and frontline service “positions such as the federal police, customs, quarantine and the Australian Defence Force will be exempt.
“All of the Coalition’s plans will be fully costed and fully funded through tough decisions such as cutting government advertising by 25 per cent.
“The Coalition will also fight Mr Rudd’s attempt to means test the private health insurance rebate. Stopping Kevin Rudd from breaking this election promise on private health will take the pressure off public hospitals and give patients in Riverina the choice they deserve,” Mrs. Hull said.
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