http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/budget-2010/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/own-goals-from-both-teams-on-the-political-pitch/ TONY Abbott’s bizarre 7.30 Report admission that he sometimes gilds the lily to win arguments led off a pretty dismal week for the Opposition. But with Labor doing so badly at explaining its case, all is far from lost. Liberal MPs shuddered as their ``honest-to-a-fault’’ leader dropped into confessional mode to surrender his singular advantage over the mealy-mouthed Kevin Rudd. ``My jaw just dropped,’’ said one. Others were similarly mystified. Instead of explaining his volte face on paid parental leave funded by a new company tax he’d previously sworn against, as a change of mind, he went the other way. The original promise on Melbourne radio had come ``in the heat of verbal battle’’ and was therefore not to be taken literally. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/own-goals-from-both-teams-on-the-political-pitch/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/own-goals-from-both-teams-on-the-political-pitch/#item3136 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/when-a-budget-is-not-really-a-budget/ We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/when-a-budget-is-not-really-a-budget/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/when-a-budget-is-not-really-a-budget/#item3109 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-can-add-ads-to-rudds-list-of-policy-backflips/ Have you heard a radio advert lately telling you that the new health reforms are really good for you? They are hard to miss and there is avalanche to come. According to the Budget, the Rudd Government will spend $126 million on five campaigns in the next few months.  These campaigns cover topics including climate change, tax reform, health reform, broadband and paid parental leave.  $33 million will be spent in the next six weeks alone. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-can-add-ads-to-rudds-list-of-policy-backflips/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-can-add-ads-to-rudds-list-of-policy-backflips/#item3110 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/government-wont-be-turfed-out-for-taxing-miners/ The Rudd Government has arrested its plunge in the polls by convincing Australians that last week’s Budget might not be good for them but it will be in the national interest. Devoid of the traditional baubles and handouts, the Budget has gone a long way towards neutralising the Liberal Party’s debt offensive that was threatening to drive a stake through Labor’s economic credentials. In a month of bad news for the government, this has to be classed as a timely victory - despite the problems with the stimulus package and the raging row over the resource rent tax, the majority of Australians think the economy is heading in the right direction. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/government-wont-be-turfed-out-for-taxing-miners/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/government-wont-be-turfed-out-for-taxing-miners/#item3101 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-curse-of-kerry-now-tony-has-a-7.30-meltdown/ For the second time in five days one of the nation’s political leaders has gone MIA in 7.30 Reportland. It was Kevin Rudd’s turn last week, with the robotic PM overriding his own software with an uncharacteristically human snap at Kerry O’Brien over the failure of the Copenhagen summit: “It might be easy for you to sit in 7.30 Report Land and say that was easy to do,” Rudd spat. “Let me tell you mate, it wasn’t.” But tonight, it was Tony Abbott who found himself entangled in a protracted and excruciating exchange about “the two Abbotts” over his different positions on new taxes and maternity leave. And if Kevin Rudd lost his cool last week, Tony Abbott simply got lost - and he’s given Labor some great negative material ahead of the campaign. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-curse-of-kerry-now-tony-has-a-7.30-meltdown/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-curse-of-kerry-now-tony-has-a-7.30-meltdown/#item3103 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/rudd-digs-a-hole-himself-but-abbott-still-runs-on-aggro/ Kevin Rudd’s proposed Resource Super Profits Tax on mining companies would raise $12 billion over the next four years, most of it in the fourth year. Pretty handy for a deficit-ravaged bottom-line but its true value is between now and the election. In other words, it’s political. Wayne Swan’s third Budget and Tony Abbott’s only (he will be either PM or toast) Budget Reply have laid certain things bare. First, that the Government is back arguing its claim to being fiscally conservative after a damaging, if economically successful multi-billion dollar foray into recession-proofing. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/rudd-digs-a-hole-himself-but-abbott-still-runs-on-aggro/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/rudd-digs-a-hole-himself-but-abbott-still-runs-on-aggro/#item3086 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-labor-mp-speaks-out-against-the-mining-tax/ Royalties and mining taxes are the price mining companies pay to the people of a state and/or country for the right to mine and sell the resources of that state and /or country. Seeing as they can only be sold by the state once, it’s important to make sure that we get the best price we can. However, if you set the price too high, no-one will buy what you’re selling. The Rudd government’s Resource Super Profit Tax (RSPT), as it is proposed, drives the price too high. A well designed rent tax is a very efficient and even business friendly tax. With a rent tax, you only pay tax when you are making a decent profit while the government still receives a fair price for its resources. But there is a clear need for three major changes to the RSPT. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-labor-mp-speaks-out-against-the-mining-tax/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-labor-mp-speaks-out-against-the-mining-tax/#item3080 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/love-or-loathe-the-budget-our-common-enemy-is-bills/ The Budget this week has me thinking about how no one likes their finances meddled with, especially given the prospect of more or increased bills. I’m no exception. When they arrive in my letter box I’m instantly in a bad mood. I know they’re due but somewhere in the back of my mind I still hope that just once in my lifetime, the “systems” will go down and all the slates will be wiped clean.  I find I’m actually quite defensive towards them.  I sometimes wonder if I were to tear it up, would anyone notice? penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/love-or-loathe-the-budget-our-common-enemy-is-bills/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/love-or-loathe-the-budget-our-common-enemy-is-bills/#item3082 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Abbott-under-promises-in-a-budget-reply-light-on-detail/ Tony Abbott’s reply to Tuesday’s federal budget was a lot like the man himself. It was at its strongest in attack mode, and at its weakest in carefully and thoughtfully explaining an alternative way forward to return the budget to surplus. The Opposition Leader had been on his feet for almost 20 minutes of tonight’s half-hour speech to Federal Parliament before he provided any detail of how an Abbott Government would rein in spending. And when he did, it came with an unfortunate “watch this space” promise that Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey would use his address to the National Press Club next Wednesday to fill in the details. In attack mode Abbott was powerful and convincing. One of his best lines was that “over-promising, under-delivering politicians are the cause of so much cynicism in public life.” It was a valid shot at Kevin Rudd’s backflips and broken promises, but the problem for Abbott - who has not yet converted Rudd’s poll slump into surging personal support as our alternative PM - is that he went on to again paint himself as something of an under-promiser. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Abbott-under-promises-in-a-budget-reply-light-on-detail/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Abbott-under-promises-in-a-budget-reply-light-on-detail/#item3084 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade? http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/one-super-policy-in-a-budget-full-of-babble/ The genius who first used the word “super” to describe the mining profits targeted by the Rudd government in its plan to return the budget to surplus should be given a promotion and a pay rise. Then the government should go out and hire another half dozen people with a similar flair for plain language. The Resources Super Profits Tax is a rare example of a self-explanatory policy. It not only accurately describes the nature and spirit of the plan, but is infused with political clout. The underlying message is that “super profits” are somehow morally objectionable, compared to the regular kind. The National Health and Hospitals Network, by contrast, is a vague umbrella term for some health reforms. But just how rare it is to find clarity in government communication is evident from the federal Budget. It is, as usual, filled with technocratic babble. Things aren’t bought, they are procured. Programs don’t end or stop, they are terminated. There is never a cut, but funding is reduced. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/one-super-policy-in-a-budget-full-of-babble/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/one-super-policy-in-a-budget-full-of-babble/#item3078 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 We might as well abandon the budget process as we have known it.  Traditionally the budget sets out what can be relied upon to occur in the financial year following its announcement. But no longer – what we get is a good old socialist planned economy.  Where as the forward estimates used to be an indicator of what would flow from the announced budget if nothing is changed in succeeding budgets. So Mr Swan’s statement that nothing will change to deliver a $1 billion surplus in 2013 is telling us nothing will change before then.  So why bother with the Budget façade?