Hockey acknowledges he will preside over fall in living standards

04 December, 2014 | Media Release

The Abbott Government has acknowledged that under their stewardship the living standards of Australians will fall. 

 

ACTU President Ged Kearney said yesterday's national Accounts figures make it crystal clear that the Abbott Government’s deep budget cuts are hurting our economy and putting pressure on household incomes.

 

“The Abbott Government’s economic story is utterly unsustainable and based on politics instead of facts," Ms Kearney said 

"It's not news to Australian workers and their families that the Government’s cuts to education, health, the age pension and unemployment support will hurt families and are a direct attack on the Australian fair go. 

 

"What's really shocking is that this has only just dawned on Mr Hockey."

 

Ms Kearney called on the Government to go back to the drawing board. 

 

“The figures prove Mr Abbott and Mr Hockey are totally off track and they’re going to need to get rid of more than just barnacles to turn things around,” Ms Kearney said.

 

“Their budget is already hurting the economy but if the full suite of cuts were implemented it would have an extremely damaging impact.

 

“The Government needs to change strategy now, support incomes and wages growth and invest in jobs.

 

“You would’ve thought the Abbott Government had taken notice at the G20 and learnt that inclusive growth, higher wages and more jobs is what’s needed – not cuts.”

 

Ms Kearney said it was pretty rich for Treasurer Hockey to complain that Government income had fallen as a result of weaker wages growth – something he and Prime Minister Abbott have aggressively pursued since coming to Government.

 

“The Abbott Government has happily done the bidding of the business lobby in calling for wage cuts across the board yet today’s figures show this is hurting the economy,” Ms Kearney said.

 

“Many working Australians are feeling cost of living pressures and the Government’s attack on their wages is an attack on standards of living.

“Decent wages and conditions are the platform on which Australia’s fair go has been based, and yet this Government sees good wages as the enemy.

 

“Mr Abbott promised Australians more jobs, protection of living standards and strong growth – we’re all still waiting.”

 

Contact Details Carla De Campo, 0410 579 575 or Kara Douglas, 0418 793 885