The audit author

Commission of Audit chair Tony Shepherd explains the logic and the goals of his review of the federal budget.

The federal opposition has slammed the Commission of Audit
report and labelled it "a blueprint for Tony Abbott's broken promises",
but won't rule out supporting government asset sales.

Speaking in
Sydney after the release of the report on Thursday afternoon,
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the audit was "written by big
business, for big business".

"If he gets his way, [Prime
Minister] Tony Abbott will turn the most basic things in life -
education, health care, support for older Australians - into a massive,
daily struggle," he said.

Mr Shorten singled out the Commission's
advice on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, paid parental
leave, Medicare co-payments, family benefits, and pension eligibility
for particular criticism.

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said Labor
would measure the government's response to the report based on its
budget impact, fairness for families and the Coalition's election
promises.

"This is about values and their values are wrong and twisted," he said.

Mr
Bowen said the opposition had only had access to the Commission's
report for a few hours, but did not rule out supporting the
privatisation of some government organisations.

"Let the government come forward with proposals," he said.

"We'll look at proposals, but we'll be guided by our values."

The
Greens were scathing, describing the report as a kick in the guts for
every day Australians, while allowing “Gina Rinehart and her friends to
get off scot free.”

Leader Christine Milne said the report was “a call to arms for all Australians” to begin the process of “kicking this mob out”.

Senator
Milne attacked recommendations to scale back Medicare when Australia’s
universal health care system was envied by countries around the world.

She was also said recommendations to cut natural disaster relief were evidence of “this climate change fear you have”.

Senator
Milne said the government was intent on making the road harder for
students, young people and other vulnerable Australians and questioned
why the report had not looked at the “big picture” question of revenue.

“That is quite typical for Tony Abbott: he only engages with one end of town,” she said.



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