Like Labor, which made similar promises in budgets when it was in power but ultimately never delivered, the Coalition is also yet to achieve a surplus and would need to be re-elected to deliver next year's promise.
"When we came to government, we inherited a budget that was out of control. Spending was growing at about 4 per cent per annum," he said. Despite currently being in Opposition, Mr Bowen has already claimed credit for a surplus next year if Labor is elected next month."We have taken the policy decisions to get back to surplus. The Government's policy decisions make the surplus $13 billion lower over the estimates than it otherwise would be."
Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott last night told the ABC it was a"moral issue" that could no longer be"kicked down the road".
Con job
The only priority this budget out lined is to win the next election. Cynical bribery and inflated headlines. It’s pantomime