In a bid to distract from Labor’s rigorous and numerous “positive policies”, the government has zeroed in on their expense, costing – one assumes generously – every one to reach a total of $66bn.
It’s a somewhat rubbery total because we don’t know what assumptions went into reaching it. Asked how much of that $66bn was the price tag attached to the party’s “aspirational statements”, official campaign spokesman Mathias Cormann said it took in spending that Labor had called for “in one way or another”.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said the government was putting about a “fantasy”, and that Labor was not about to take “any pious lectures” when the company tax cuts at the centre of government’s budget were “completely and totally unfunded”.
Tony Burke suggested this path forward: “During the campaign, Liberal policies will be announced by the Liberal party, Labor policies will be announced by the Labor party.”
The Coalition hasn’t publicised its election costings yet, and Turnbull demurred when asked when we might expect them, saying the “real issue” of the day was “the flagrant wastefulness and recklessness” of Labor’s spending. (Not telecommunications blackspots in the electorate of Corangamite in Victoria, where he announced $60m more in funding for mobile phone towers.)
Turnbull also referred to “billion dollar Bill”, which, if anything, is complimentary of a man who has been known to drive his mum’s car and be disconcertingly occupied with the price and varieties of lettuce. Anyway, those who live in harbourside mansions shouldn’t throw stones.
Shorten, meanwhile, today said Labour would legislate to protect Medicare from privatisation, on top of lifting the rebate freeze.
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