No sale as punters fail to buy Swan's budget

Some policies in the budget, such as the increased expenditure on mental health, were welcomed across the board. But others, such as the promise of a set-top box for every pensioner missed the mark. Many pensioners reckoned they could spend the money better themselves.

Sales rhetoric was also a problem.

Few bought the line that the budget was “tough”, although there was some approval for cuts to middle class welfare. And “jobs” failed to cut through being mentioned by only 3% of respondents.

In fact, by talking the budget up in terms that voters don't accept Wayne Swan has actually eroded the credibility of the government, reinforcing a perception that it is about spin and not reality.

Labor is dying in the polls because it has failed to enunciate a compelling vision.. This budget was an opportunity to change that. On this measure, it failed too.