Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King today said she was deeply concerned by the recommendations of the Abbott Government’s 1,200 page Commission of Audit report that targets the most vulnerable in our community.
“This report is a blueprint for Tony Abbott’s broken promises, it’s a plan for cuts, instead of growth,” Ms King said.
“Wide-ranging cuts targeting local families, pensioners, students and workers will hurt the most vulnerable in our community.
“The report’s centerpiece is an attack on universal healthcare – the new GP Tax, Hospital Tax and more expensive medicines will have a devastating effect on Australians by denying them access to the healthcare they need.
“New taxes, cuts to pensions, higher university fees, changes to child care and cuts to wages of low paid workers will add further cost of living pressures for families.
“Local community services are also not immune, with recommendations to slow down the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, plus privatisations and asset sales including Australia Post, Australian Hearing Services and the National Broadband Network.
“The authors of this report say it was guided by ‘fairness’, however, these cuts are just plain cruel.
“The Abbott Government’s commission has unleashed a series of dangerous proposals that if adopted will inflict irreversible damage on our community.
“If Tony Abbott wants to be held at his word that there would be no cuts to health, education, pensions or any new taxes – he needs to categorically rule out all of these cuts before the budget.”