Fed: Govt Budget promises hit $4.3 billion

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2004
Fed: Govt Budget promises hit $4.3 billion

The federal government's made election-year Budget spending promises at the rate of
$1 billion a month.

Promises in the last four-and-a-half months have reached $4.3 billion with this week's
promise of a $2 increase in hourly wages for disabled workers in sheltered workshops.

The $100 million commitment is the latest in a string of promises in the lead-up to
the May budget, now less than three weeks away.

Since the mid-year Budget update in December, the government's committed money for
roads, childcare, schools and families, among others, as much as five years in the future.

Economists say the spending is typical of an election year, but will also trim future
Budget surpluses to the bare bones.

AAP RTV kmh/sw/rt/rp/lm/as

KEYWORD: BUDGET (CANBERRA)

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