Fuel Excise Reforms
June 15, 2004Arts funding, Iraq, childhood obesity, baby payment, road funding, Scoresby – Doorstop Interview, National Institute of Circus Arts
June 18, 2004NO.050
LATHAM DOCTORS TRANSCRIPT TO CONCEAL MASSIVE FINANCIAL DEFICIT
Mark Latham has today been embarrassed by the revelation that he has not been
forthright or honest with the Australian people.
Mr Latham told 2GB listeners on 14 May that he had in front of him a document
detailing Labor’s claimed $8 billion savings, and he said that the public
could look at it. The transcript posted on the ALP website omits reference to
the matter.
Media Monitors transcript |
ALP transcript |
LATHAM: Well, it does and that’s why since the election we’ve identified over $8 billion of government savings. Now, there’s no shortage of money pouring into Canberra. JONES: But is there a document that identifies that? LATHAM: Yes, there is, yes. JONES: That the public can look at? LATHAM: Yes. I’ve got that right here in front of me and… JONES: Well, for example… LATHAM: Our economic spokespeople have consistently released this material and the two announcements I had yesterday, the youth guarantee and the vaccine for pneumococcal disease, we’ve identified where the money’s coming from in both cases to make those programs work. They’re fully costed and fully funded. |
LATHAM: Well, it does. And that is why since the last election we’ve identified over $8 billion in Government savings. There is no shortage of money pouring into Canberra.JONES: But is there a document that identifies that? LATHAM: Yes, I’ve got that right here in front of me. Our economic spokespeople have consistently released this material. With the two announcements I made yesterday, the youth guarantee and vaccine for pneumococcal disease, we’ve identified where the money is coming from in both cases to make those programs work. They are fully costed and fully funded. |
Mr Latham does not have $8 billion in savings.
Mr Latham has a massive financial deficit from his rash promises of big spending
programs coupled with promises of across the board tax cuts.
The time has come for Mr Latham to come clean with the public and explain how
he intends to pay for his programs. He could start by releasing his list of
$8 billion in so-called savings.
Full transcripts have been tabled in the House.
CANBERRA
17 June 2004