Budget 2014: the bludgeoning

‘The planned cuts to health and education place Joe Hockey at the opposite end of the federalism spectrum to his predecessor. The legitimacy of this position is questionable as it forces the States to pass on an increase in the GST in order to meet the funding gap. It is disappointing that Hockey has exploited the vertical fiscal imbalance so blatantly.’ – Theo

‘It’s okay.’ – Thomas

‘NASA published new research this week showing the West Antarctic ice sheet has entered an irreversible state of collapse. You’d think, therefore, the phrase ‘climate change’ would have got a mention in the budget speech… except it didn’t, not even once. Global warming, or brain freeze?’ – Christian

‘Right Mantra: “Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if money grew on trees?”
‘Left Burdens: “But money doesn’t grow on trees.”
‘Right Mantra: “Yea, but just think if it did - we wouldn’t have to make any budget cuts and we could solve global
warming!”’ – Jamin

‘How does Tony Abbott expect someone to live without an income? How can you eat, pay rent, study and find a job? I
am worried about what this Budget will mean for young people.’ – Adam

‘The states have said they won’t charge people to attend hospital emergency rooms. The Medicare co-payment may help the ‘budget emergency’ but it will cripple our already crowded public hospitals. Where is the real emergency?’ – Peter

‘This I don’t need.’ – Justin

Over 10,000 people gathered in Melbourne to protest the federal budget on Sunday. Similar protests occurred across Australia. Photo: Shaan Reza Ali