Coalition Raises Concerns Over Budget After Dental Scheme Unveiled
Spokesman for the coalition treasury, Joe Hockey has criticised Julia Gillard, the Australian Prime Minister after plans were unveiled to introduce a new multi-billion dollar dental programme.
Hockey branded the new scheme, which will cost around $4 billion, “another unfunded promise” from the Prime Minister and also questioned how the Government would fund plans for investment in submarines, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, a new policy on asylum seekers and the Gonski education review.
Tony Abbot, leader of the Opposition, has also questioned funding for the dental scheme, saying that the Government could “not afford promises like the dental scheme” and adding that Julia Gillard’s party has clearly given up on attempts to reduce the debt and bring the country back into surplus.
In response to the comments, the Health Minister Tanya Plibersek stated that money would be found to accommodate the dental scheme and confirmed that the Government is still very much focused on reducing the deficit.
Scepticism surrounding the dental scheme came just a day after Julia Gillard announced plans to scrap the base rate for carbon trading, which sparked fears that the low carbon price could affect the budget bottom-line. Mr Hockey said that the decision had decreased business confidence, which was already low.
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