Voters' views on the federal Budget: no longer 'relaxed and comfortable'

The Budget - General

While in general terms, voters were approving of the Budget when asked to expand on views on the Budget they were quick to identify concerns they had about its direction, focus, initiatives or lack of them.

• "A useful budget."
• "Budget in general is heading in the right direction - states should have their responsibilities clearly defined."
• "A lot of missed opportunities in my opinion, with the surplus they should have invested more skills, infrastructure and education."
• "I was disappointed the Budget contained no new initiatives on water and nothing for export infrastructure."
• "Pretty much lost opportunity to attack the real problems with the tax and welfare system, to address infrastructure and environmental issues."
• "Pandering too much to high income earners (and my household is one of them), no focus on education and research except the apprenticeship scheme is a real mistake; do something about the environment."
• "Giving to the rich and taking from the poor. AGAIN!"
• "The Budget reflects a mean-minded, insensitive and disrespectful government that is out of touch with the small people, the vulnerable people."

Again, when voters were asked to identify what they would change in the Budget if they could, infrastructure and investment in such areas of eduction, training and health dominated.

The Budget - Tax Cuts

As noted earlier, voters welcomed the tax cuts, however their enthusiasm for them was tempered by concerns that they were targeted too much at the "rich", they were at the expense of low income earners, single parents and the disabled and the funds should have been spent on infrastructure and other investments for the future.

• "If it's fair to the lower and middle income earners, why not?"
• "While I fully support tax cuts at the high end there needs to be a good look at the interactions of taxes and welfare for the low end earners."
• "Low income earners are finding it difficult to get by in this economy and there is no incentives for the working poor."
• "I believe the tax cut are a disgrace to the nation with major problems with skills, infrastructure, health and education ... we need major reform and investment in these areas. It's time the government took some risks for the future."

The Budget - Future Fund and Superannuation Surcharge Changes

The Future Fund was generally welcomed by voters, but this appeared to be more because of what it was called rather than any real understanding of what it was.

• "Sounds promising."
• "Need to hear more details."
• "I don't understand enough of the problem they are trying to solve."
• "What are the unfunded liabilities?"

Those who appeared to understand its purpose where supportive, recognised its purpose, but expressed some reservations or concerns.

• "… depends on who controls the Future Fund."
• "… if it's in the bank who gets the interest?"
• "Very uneasy because I wonder how much will just go into the investment advisers coffers."

Voters overwhelmingly supported the abolition of the superannuation surcharge.

• "It was an awful tax."
• "I think it's a good thing - never a fair tax."

Kim Beazley's Budget Response

Kim Beazley's overall Budget reply message appears to have been lost in his opposition to the tax cuts.