By Thomas Henry
Anthony Albanese says the government is conscious of delivering a responsible budget next week, after warnings from RBA governor Michele Bullock that government handouts would make it more difficult to temper inflation.
After the RBA on Tuesday hiked interest rates for the third consecutive time and Ms Bullock warned that government spending on cost-of-living relief could spur inflation, the Prime Minister said next week’s budget would include savings, but would not provide more detail.
“We are very conscious about the need for a responsible budget, as we always have been. You’ll see in next Tuesday’s budget a range of savings, and you’ll be able to then ask questions about that detail,” Mr Albanese said in Sydney.
Mr Albanese also criticised leading asset manager Geoff Wilson for attacking changes to the capital gains tax discount expected to be unveiled in the budget, claiming he was a “political participant”.
“Geoff Wilson has been a political participant for some period of time. Everyone knows that that’s the case. So I expect no difference from Tony Abbott opposing whatever’s in the budget or John Howard will oppose whatever’s in the budget, and I’m sure that will receive publicity,” he said.
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