Joe Hockey pips Wayne Swan with positive agenda in debate on economy
JOE Hockey presented a positive agenda for economic policy under an Abbott government and won today's National Press Club debate with Wayne Swan.
The Treasurer's appeal to the electorate was rooted in a defence of the government's management of the global financial crisis.
Swan managed to puncture a number of the coalition's claims. Mr Hockey admitted that the budget would have gone into deficit under a Liberal government and also conceded that interest rates paid by home buyers now are lower than it was at the end of the Howard government.
Swan also provided a persuasive justification of the government's borrowing, noting it was equivalent to someone earning $100,000 a year taking on debt of $6000.
However, Mr Hockey was able to articulate a vision for the Australian economy, and support it with policies that have been announced in the course of the election campaign.
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There are no longer world trading blocks, just time zones, he said, and Australia was well placed in the Asian zone to enjoy an extended period of prosperity.
He said the coalition's promise to increase export market development grants was calculated to help services firms, who are under-represented in Australia's exports, as well as manufacturers.
He also underlined the coalition's policies to improve workforce participation, pointing to benefits for older workers and parents.
Hockey's criticism of the government was strongest on the issue of waste. “I know what bad government is. I live in NSW,” he said.
He highlighted the range of programs, ranging from Fuelwatch, to the green loans scheme and home insulation, which demonstrated poor public administration.
Swan, by contrast, was left promoting what was essentially the government's first-term agenda, including broadband, infrastructure and a greater commitment to training.
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