The Federal Budget hurts

On 13 May 2014 we saw a Budget that seeks to demolish the pillars of Australian society: universal healthcare, education for all and a fair pension.

This is a budget that pushes up the cost of living for every Australian family and hurts those who can least afford it most.

The very things this Prime Minister promised not to touch, are the first casualties of his deceit, including new and higher taxes.

This is the Budget of a Prime Minister and a Government who want to tear down everything Australians have built together.

I believe in a different Australia, a place where your destiny is not pre-determined by your wealth or your postcode, a fair and prosperous nation populated by a creative and productive people.

Labor invests in our people to make our country stronger.  We believe that economic growth comes from extending opportunity.

We believe in a prosperous Australia: prosperity for everyone who works and prosperity which works for everyone — an Australia ready for the future, optimistic about the future and investing in the future.

Labor believes in an Australia that includes everyone, that helps everyone, that lets everyone be their best, that leaves no-one behind.

This is the Australia that the Prime Minister has forgotten. But it is the Australia that Labor will always fight for.

Bill Shorten (Leader of the Opposition)

Updated: 2014-06-01 — 18:19:37