Senator Scott Ryan said the Budget was a major disappointment for the residents of Melbourne Ports.
“This year’s Budget demonstrates no plan to build a stronger economy, repay debt or create secure jobs,” Senator Ryan, the patron senator for Melbourne Ports, said. “It’s a confused budget. All it delivers is more borrowing, more taxes, record debt and the world’s biggest carbon tax.”
Five days before the last election, Julia Gillard promised “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead”, yet this year’s Budget is Australia’s first carbon tax budget.
“The carbon tax will be a wrecking ball for small businesses in Melbourne Ports, leaving local families to pay for it through increased prices and higher energy costs,” Senator Ryan, the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Fair Competition, said.
Senator Ryan said he was also concerned about the Government’s announcement that it will seek to increase Australia’s debt ceiling to a record $300 billion – four times higher than it was in 2008.
“This is another increase in our nation’s credit card limit. We will see net government debt climb to a record in 2013-14. That is an increase of almost $40 billion since last year’s Budget.”
“By 2015-16, the Government will be spending $22 million a day on interest payments alone.”
Senator Ryan noted that the Budget papers forecast a rise in unemployment to 5.5 per cent.
“Last year’s Budget promised 500,000 new jobs over two years, but the Government now expects to miss its target by 300,000 jobs. Meanwhile the Government is cutting $200 million out of jobs services programmes.”
Senator Ryan said residents in Melbourne Ports want a government that can deliver an economic strategy to build a stronger Australia, reduce cost of living pressures and create secure jobs.
“What we have is a Government mired in chaos and a Prime Minister with no judgment. Australians will be asking themselves: how long will this one last?”