The Budget Estimates process has left a giant question mark over the Liberal Government’s first budget.
Have ministers deliberately misled hearings this week or is the budget not worth the paper it’s written on?
Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon says it’s either one or the other.
“Either ministers know where cuts will be made in their department and they’ve been told to keep them secret or the Treasurer’s first budget is nothing more than guess work,” Mr Bacon said.
“The Treasurer is banking his credibility on savings worth three quarters of a billion dollars but he cannot explain where they will come from.
“When the most specific answer provided all week is a ban on umbrellas, it’s obvious the Treasurer finds himself in a very awkward situation.
“What’s worse, his colleagues are overspending to the tune of $1 million a week.
Mr Bacon said either ministers had failed to identify savings or they have been given a directive to not divulge information.
“If it’s the latter, the Liberals have made a mockery of the Estimates process.
“If it’s the former, the Treasurer has put his name to a very rubbery budget.
“Peter Gutwein has been eyeing off the Treasurer’s office for a long time, now the focus is on him and he doesn’t seem very comfortable.”
Scott Bacon MP Labor Shadow Treasurer
