HOST:
We return to Federal politics now and the Government has cuts to welfare in its sights ahead of next week's Budget. Some single parents are tipped to have their payments slashed once their children turn eight. For more we're joined by Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury who's in western Sydney. Mr Bradbury, good morning. What can you tell us about the cuts to welfare in this year's Budget?
BRADBURY:
Good morning Brett and good to be with you. Whilst obviously I can't reveal the full details of what will be released in the Budget on Tuesday, what I can say is that I think most people would like to see a system that doesn't encourage people to stay on welfare. We want to make sure that we've got all of the incentives in place to encourage people to get into work, especially at a time when unemployment is as low as it is. We need to be making sure that all of the systems are encouraging people to move out of welfare, to get a job, to earn an income; in the end that's the best thing for them, their family but also the best thing for the country.
HOST:
But what we're hearing today in newspaper reports in News Limited is that once parents' children reach eight, as opposed to the current 16, that payment will be cut. Is it fair to target single mums and dads?
BRADBURY:
Individuals and families, they take on all shapes and sizes. In the end, we all face our challenges in meeting the cost of living, in putting a roof over our head, educating our children, but we need to make sure that there is targeted support, appropriate support in place for families, and that's something we're committed to. In the end we need to make sure that the systems we have in place, they provide the right incentives and those incentives should encourage people to move out of welfare, into work and that's the best thing for them, their family and obviously, the country.
HOST:
The Prime Minister's promising a Labor Budget. Your constituents in western Sydney, crucial to Labor's vote Federally, can you rule out more pain for them in the Budget on Tuesday?
BRADBURY:
This is going to be a challenging Budget, but we are determined to return the Budget to surplus because we have to live within our means. Equally, we want to make sure that the things that really matter to people, the key services that they rely upon, whether it be health services, education services or providing targeted and adequate support for families and for small businesses, we want to make sure that those things are in place. But this is a big challenge to get the Budget back into surplus, but we need to do it. It's the best thing we can do to instil further confidence in the Australian economy.
HOST:
Now there's been plenty of talk about deadlines set for Julia Gillard's leadership. Is Tuesday's Budget her last chance?
BRADBURY:
I'm obviously very focussed on the Budget which will be handed down next Tuesday. I think that people will engage in all sorts of commentary, but what they will see when this Budget is handed down is that it's one that takes some of the tough decisions and that's something that this Prime Minister's not been afraid to do, is to take those tough decisions. I think people will also take a look at it and say these are difficult challenges that the country faces but we've got a Government with a steady hand on the tiller and a Government that's prepared to take those tough decisions today that are going to make a difference for us all in the future.
HOST:
Alright, Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury, thanks for your time.