Doorstop interview, Canberra

Well, Labor was the inventor of [inaudible] and as you can see from credible economists that have looked at the numbers, it’s reasonable, it’s fair. Assumptions are erring on the side of conservative.

JOURNALIST:

Some economists have raised concerns in regards to the small business package that it won’t in fact boost jobs across the wider economy.

TREASURER:

Well, we want small business to go out and invest to have a go. And that’s why we’ve basically given them the opportunity to bring forward the depreciation they would have got at any rate. But we’re bringing it forward so they can go out have a go and improve their cash flow. That’s hugely important. This is giving them back their own money and giving them an incentive to go out and buy the tools to grow their business and create more jobs.

JOURNALIST:

What do you say to tradies and hairdressers, shop owners [inaudible] if you want to have a go, how is this Budget going to help them?

TREASURER:

Well, because we’re not only giving them a tax cut as we promised at the last election. But if they can buy new tools in the case of a hairdresser, it might be new equipment that helps them to be more productive to get more people through the hairdressing salon. Tradies – it can be new tools that help to speed up the sort of work they’re doing. That is going to make a difference. They might have bought it in two years’ time. They can buy it now. They bring forward the depreciation that they would have got. But they bring it forward to one year. In fact they can get it back on the 1st of July. Go out there and have a go, have a go. Australia is at its best as a nation when people have a go.

JOURNALIST:

Just because they have new equipment will they be able to afford to hire new staff members, because if the economy’s sluggish…

TREASURER:

Well, hopefully they will be more profitable. No, the economy is not sluggish. Please understand this - it’s actually growing and growing stronger every year, stronger every year. And that’s a good sign. And the world economy is growing stronger every year as well, and that’s a good sign. We should be positive about it.

JOURNALIST:

What do you say to annoyed parents who see that potentially they’re going to lose half their Paid Parental Leave Scheme. And they’re angry that you say they’re double dipping.

TREASURER: Well they are double dipping. I’m sorry. You get a minimum of $11, 500 from Australian tax payers through the Paid Parental Leave Scheme that’s in place. But to get it from your employer as well for that same period. It’s unfair on tax payers and under the circumstances, if you’re an employee of the Government you get a big and significant Paid Parental Leave Scheme and then you can go down to Centrelink and get from the same tax payer additional money. I think that’s unfair.

JOURNALIST:

You say that’s actually unfair on families, how do you propose to get this through the Senate