As Tony Abbott puts the Budget together, he is being haunted by statements of campaigns past
article by News.com.au



TONY ABBOTT  LNP PM  ( LIARS NATIONAL PARTY )

As Tony Abbott puts the Budget together, he is being haunted by statements of campaigns past

• 1 hour ago
  April 18, 2014
  10:37AM
  

• 
  Image
  
• 
  Video
  

Picture: Gary Ramage
Source: News Corp Australia

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott’s own words are nagging him as he prepares for ruthless pruning in his first Budget.

The night before the election last September he pledged: “No cuts
to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the
GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS.”

No cuts to ABC, SBS: Abbott

Those promises are cramping his fiscal style as the May 13
Budget nears, but they are not the only Abbott-isms the Prime Minister
might regret using:

“Compulsory paid maternity leave? Over this Government’s dead body, frankly.” (2002).

‘GO ON! Ask him about paid parental leave!’ Picture: Jay Town
Source: Supplied

Mr Abbott has not only accepted the principle of maternity
leave since — he wants to introduce the most expensive option Australia
has seen, increasing taxes to pay for it while campaigning as a tax
scrapping government.

“The science of climate change is absolute crap.” (2009)

‘Yes, yes, these are very interesting plants’. Picture: News Corp Australia
Source: News Limited

Whatever his views on climate change, as Prime Minister he is
asking Australians to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Direct
Action, which in part would pay companies to cut carbon emissions.

“I won’t be doing deals with independents and minor parties.” (August, 2013)

As of July, Clive Palmer won’t be a minor presence in Tony Abbott’s life. Picture: Mark Cranitch.
Source: News Corp Australia

He may have to in order to get his Budget through the Senate,
where in July he will have to deal with a crossbench (neither
government, Labor, nor Green) of eight.

“We just can’t stop people from being homeless if that’s their choice.” (February, 2010)

The PM has since changed his mind about homelessness. Picture: News Corp Australia
Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Abbott has changed his views since then — accepting that
those who are homeless by choice have deeper problems — but might be
reminded of his old position should funds for the homeless be cut.

“We will be a consultative, collegial government. No surprises, no excuses.” (July, 2013)

No excuses for all the lycra. Picture: Bradley Hunter/News Corp Australia
Source: Supplied

Well there have been some surprises — introduction of knights
and dames for one — and the speculation is the Budget will have a few
more. Mr Abbott also will be scrutinised for any excuses he might offer
for not meeting commitments.

“Misleading the ABC is not quite the same as misleading the Parliament.” (2000)

‘Oh, really?’ Picture: ABC
Source: Supplied

Mr Abbott has in the past admitted to some relatively mild
indiscretions with the truth but as Prime Minister he cannot be expected
to be let off lightly for future examples.

“No one, however smart, however well-educated, is the suppository of all wisdoms.’’
(August, 2013)

Bad. Verbal. Slip-up. Picture: News Corp Australia
Source: News Corp Australia

Tony Abbott will have a chance to place himself in history, whether repository or suppository.

Compiled with the assistance of Russell Marks’ book Tony Speaks.