Commission of Audit Driven by ‘Powerful Special interests’ - Shorten
1 May 2014 at 5:29 pm
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has slammed the National Commission of Audit report saying the report was written exclusively by “powerful special interests”.
The report made 64 initial recommendations including increasing the retirement age to 70, a $15 co-contribution fee for a doctor's visit, a means test on aged care funding and carers, abolishing the Family Tax Benefit Band and many other changes in a bid to make savings of between $20-$30 billion in the 2017-18.
In a statement, Shorten said the Commission of Audit report was a blueprint for Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s broken promises and the Prime Minister’s plan to increase cost of living and cut the services that families rely on.
“Tony Abbott will turn the most basic things in life – education, health care, support for older Australians – into a massive everyday struggle for families,” he said.
“Tony Abbott confirmed the end of universal healthcare – a new GP Tax, a Hospital Tax and more expensive medicines.
“He is flagging a brutal assault on the minimum wage – meaning our lowest income earners get even less.
“He wants to demolish the Gonski reforms – which means less support for our kids and teachers.
“With his attack on higher education and TAFE, he wants to make it harder for our kids to get a good education and a good job.
“He will cut the pension, and put a handbrake on the NDIS. He will sell off assets and sell off jobs.
“And Tony Abbott will do nothing to invest in new jobs for the future. This is a report written exclusively by powerful special interests – and it shows.”
Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the Government would not provide an immediate response to each recommendation – its response would be its first Budget on May 13.
“We will continue to review and consider the recommendations and advice as we continue to pursue the necessary structural reforms of the Budget and Government spending programs,” they said.
To view Phase One of the National Commission of Audit report and its recommendations, click here.
