Following the release of the final Budget Outcome figures for the 2003-04 Budget, the government and opposition held press conferences.
The Treasurer, Peter Costello, said the underlying cash surplus of the Budget was $8 billion, $3.5 billion higher than expected. This was due to an additional $1.8 billion on the revenue side and $1.7 billion of reductions on the expenditure side.
The Shadow Treasurer, Simon Crean, appearing with the Shadow Finance Minister, Bob McMullan, said the Howard government was the highest taxing and spending government in Australia’s history, and families were under financial pressure.
- Listen to Peter Costello (24m)
- Listen to Simon Crean and Bob McMullan (20m)
