May 21, 2014
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd has defended the Federal Budget.saying it is a myth there have been massive cuts to health, education and pensions.
“Unfortunately, people are being taken in by the scare-mongering campaign going on in the media,” Mr O’Dowd said today.
“People believe the government is bringing in massive cuts to health, education and pensions. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact the government has increased spending in these areas over this term.”
Mr O’Dowd said it was “time for a dose of reality”.
“We have one of the fastest growing debts of all OECD countries and that is simply unsustainable,” he said.
“The point is not the relative level of debt now, but the trajectory that the debt is headed on.
“Unless the government is allowed to make changes to turn it around, the debt will become virtually insurmountable and future governments will be forced to bring in drastic austerity measures like they have in Greece.
“The simple fact is that Australia cannot keep going the way it is. Surely people must understand that we cannot keep giving everyone everything they want without turning the country into a basket case.
“If you believe the measure of a good government is one that buys votes by giving away money it does not have, racking it up on the credit card, promising even more into the future, knowing that their promises can never be delivered, then Labor and the Palmer United Party are for you.
“I was totally horrified to hear the new Palmer United Party Senator-elect from Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie, say she wants to take $30 billion of profits from the big four banks. If that’s not nationalising the banks what is?”
“This government is making modest changes now to ensure that Australia doesn’t end up like Greece.
“Labor’s Budget reply in essence was to say “What debt? We won’t let the government fix our mess. Instead, we will give you more, make you feel happy in the short term and who gives a damn about the future – not us!”
Mr O’Dowd, the austerity measures enforced in Greece compounded the fiscal situation. If your party is not cutting expenditure, then all the State Premiers must be incorrect or stupid! You are only echoing the Head Office mantra.
The incumbent government raised the debt ceiling by $200 billion in 2013 and now proclaims working Australians need a dose of reality. The proposed budgetary restraints by this government are squarely aimed at low to medium income earners with the flow on effects hitting small business and rural Australia particularly hard. It’s time for a rethink, Mr O’Dowd
I am a little late with my reply Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd. Now I think that little speech has come back to bite you three weeks on. Guess we are not as silly as the government thinks. Myths. Now who was telling the fairy stories? Again put the blame on the media. Who was telling the truth? Congratulations all media everywhere. You wonder why we cannot believe the government. Your words “scaremongering by the media”. Nothing further from the Truth. A dose of reality. We did get that. You proved how much we can trust you. We could end up like Greece really. Is this another bedtime story? And yes, the ones that did cop all the budget woes were low to medium income earners, small business and Rural Australia. Jack Black, have you ever thought of running for Parliament? Sorry didn’t mean to insult you. You are honest. We could do with more of that.