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| Tony Abbott promises examined: is he fixing budget or breaking his word? | Tony Abbott promises examined: is he fixing budget or breaking his word? |
| (4 months later) | |
| In the wake of the budget, accusations have been thrown at the government of “broken promises” which the prime minister and treasurer have tried to bat away by saying they have remained true to their most important commitment: fixing the budget. | In the wake of the budget, accusations have been thrown at the government of “broken promises” which the prime minister and treasurer have tried to bat away by saying they have remained true to their most important commitment: fixing the budget. |
| Tony Abbott said on Wednesday that what his government was doing was “not easy”, but was necessary to improve the economy. | |
| “Can you trust the leadership of the country to do what is necessary to keep the country strong?” he told Channel 7. “I think that the country was looking for leadership and I think they found leadership with last night’s budget.” | “Can you trust the leadership of the country to do what is necessary to keep the country strong?” he told Channel 7. “I think that the country was looking for leadership and I think they found leadership with last night’s budget.” |
| On Thursday Labor leader Bill Shorten accused Abbott of lying to the Australian people. | On Thursday Labor leader Bill Shorten accused Abbott of lying to the Australian people. |
| “I think most of the budget unfortunately has been a massive broken promise, built on a lie,” he said. | “I think most of the budget unfortunately has been a massive broken promise, built on a lie,” he said. |
| Shorten was referring to a pledge made the night before the election last year, when the soon-to-be prime minister said: "No cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS." | Shorten was referring to a pledge made the night before the election last year, when the soon-to-be prime minister said: "No cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS." |
| In an election campaign speech, he said: “We will be a no surprises, no excuses government, because you are sick of nasty surprises and lame excuses from people that you have trusted with your future.” | In an election campaign speech, he said: “We will be a no surprises, no excuses government, because you are sick of nasty surprises and lame excuses from people that you have trusted with your future.” |
| So, have promises been broken. Here is how the pledges and the actual policies break down, sector by sector. | So, have promises been broken. Here is how the pledges and the actual policies break down, sector by sector. |
| Health | Health |
| Before budget | Before budget |
| “We aspire to improve and restore dental services through Medicare as soon as we responsibly can.” Coalition pre-election policy document. | “We aspire to improve and restore dental services through Medicare as soon as we responsibly can.” Coalition pre-election policy document. |
| When asked about introducing a $6 co-payment on the ABC in February 2014, Abbott said: "As a health minister in a former government, I used to say that government was the best friend Medicare has ever had. This leopard doesn't change his spots and I want this government, likewise, to be the best friend Medicare has ever had." | When asked about introducing a $6 co-payment on the ABC in February 2014, Abbott said: "As a health minister in a former government, I used to say that government was the best friend Medicare has ever had. This leopard doesn't change his spots and I want this government, likewise, to be the best friend Medicare has ever had." |
| In the budget | In the budget |
| Before budget | Before budget |
| Abbott during a pre-election debate last year: "We are not shutting any Medicare Locals." | Abbott during a pre-election debate last year: "We are not shutting any Medicare Locals." |
| In the budget | In the budget |
| Before budget | Before budget |
| Abbott when opposition leader, in a press conference in Western Australia: “The private health insurance rebate is an article of faith for the Coalition. In government, we will restore it as soon as we can.” | Abbott when opposition leader, in a press conference in Western Australia: “The private health insurance rebate is an article of faith for the Coalition. In government, we will restore it as soon as we can.” |
| In the budget | In the budget |
| Education and Gonski funding | Education and Gonski funding |
| Before budget | Before budget |
| During the election campaign. Abbott said: "As far as school funding is concerned, Kevin Rudd and I are on a unity ticket. There is no difference between Kevin Rudd and myself when it comes to school funding." | During the election campaign. Abbott said: "As far as school funding is concerned, Kevin Rudd and I are on a unity ticket. There is no difference between Kevin Rudd and myself when it comes to school funding." |
| Christopher Pyne in August 2013: "So you can vote Liberal or Labor, and you'll get exactly the same amount of funding for your school." | Christopher Pyne in August 2013: "So you can vote Liberal or Labor, and you'll get exactly the same amount of funding for your school." |
| In the budget | In the budget |
| Seniors | Seniors |
| Before budget | Before budget |
| Abbott promised in the election campaign that there would “No changes to the pension.” | Abbott promised in the election campaign that there would “No changes to the pension.” |
| In a Coalition campaign launch speech, Abbott said: “That’s why I announce today that an incoming Coalition government will finally index eligibility thresholds for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) so that more self-funded retirees will have access to cheaper medicines.” | In a Coalition campaign launch speech, Abbott said: “That’s why I announce today that an incoming Coalition government will finally index eligibility thresholds for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) so that more self-funded retirees will have access to cheaper medicines.” |
| In the budget | In the budget |
| Infrastructure | Infrastructure |
| Before budget | Before budget |
| In a campaign speech Abbott said: “By the end of a Coalition government’s first term, the budget will be on-track to a believable surplus. The WestConnex in Sydney, the East West Link in Melbourne, the Gateway Upgrade in Brisbane, the North South Road in Adelaide, and the Swan Bypass in Perth will be well and truly underway.” | In a campaign speech Abbott said: “By the end of a Coalition government’s first term, the budget will be on-track to a believable surplus. The WestConnex in Sydney, the East West Link in Melbourne, the Gateway Upgrade in Brisbane, the North South Road in Adelaide, and the Swan Bypass in Perth will be well and truly underway.” |
| In the budget | In the budget |
| ABC and SBS | ABC and SBS |
| Before budget | Before budget |
| “No cuts to ABC or SBS,” Abbott promised. | “No cuts to ABC or SBS,” Abbott promised. |
| In the budget | In the budget |
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