The Opposition Leader Bill Shorten delivered his Budget Reply Speech Wednesday evening, signalling the Opposition will block significant parts of the Abbott government’s budget.
“If you want an election, try us,” Mr Shorten said, implying that the Labor Party may go so far as to force another election by blocking much of the budget in the Senate.
The Opposition is taking a hard line in what commentators are saying is reminiscent of Tony Abbott’s tactics as Opposition Leader.
Mr Shorten said Labor would vote against the government’s university reforms and cuts to unemployment benefits. He also signalled a vote against cuts to Family Tax Benefit Part B, describing the cuts to hospitals, schools and family payments as “brutal” and “cruel”.
Rejection of these policies would be in addition to Labor’s already stated opposition to the increase in fuel excise, the $7 co-payment fee to visit the doctor and increase in the pension age to 70.
Mr Shorten did not mention the deficit levy in his speech, signalling that Labor is not likely to oppose it.
As his speech concluded it was met with loud cheering from the gallery and preliminary reactions are that it is one of his strongest deliveries as Opposition Leader.
The speech draws the ideological battle lines that will underpin debate over the budget and raises questions about how much of the Abbott government’s budget will fall to the floor.
