Heather Ewart: No zing, but small target Budget makes good political sense
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Political correspondent for The 7.30 Report, Heather Ewart (ABC News: Damien Larkins)
As the Treasurer himself put it at a press conference just before bringing down his first Budget, there were no rabbits out of the hat. In other words no big surprises.
This is a Budget that on the face of it lacks zing and excitement.
But the Government tomorrow morning is going to get exactly the sort of newspaper headlines it wanted.
They will say Labor is being economically responsible in crafting a Budget that tackles inflation as its top priority in a time of international turbulence.
In so doing, Labor has rebadged its economic credentials.
As expected it's delivered on all its election promises at the same time announcing savings it says will pay for every single cent of new spending for the coming year.
This balance is sound politics and likely to go down reasonably well in the electorate.
It's also likely to be well received by the business community anxious that the Government might not do enough to fight inflation - though some will say cuts should go further.
As well, business will welcome the pledge to boost spending on infrastructure.
The Government may cop some flak over its decision to means test the baby bonus and family tax benefit part B, setting the benchmark at $150,000 per family income.
But while the Treasurer calls this one of his most painful decisions he knows full well that opinion polls support the move and so do ALP principles.
All up, the Government has not set itself up as a big target for criticism and media headlines giving it the big tick overall will boost the confidence of a new Treasurer keen to make his mark.
