Scott Morrison fires back at budget accusations: “Nothing else matters”
Scott Morrison has furiously denied allegations that the 2021 budget was devised to win re-election.
Speaking on Today, the Australian Prime Minister declared all he cared about was saving “lives and livelihoods” in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also confirmed the Federal Election would take place next year.
"Nothing else matters," Mr Morrison said, shrugging off suggestions that he had spent big to win another election.
"There's no politics or ideology in a pandemic, there is just government needing to do what we need to do to save lives and livelihoods and that's what we've done.
"(I) couldn't careless about the politics. I care a lot about people's jobs, about their health and doing what is necessary."
Mr Morrison said his "only opponent" right now was the COVID-19 pandemic.
"That's the opponent I'm focused on."
The Federal Budget has painted a grim picture for international travel, assuming Australia will be closed off from the rest of the world until mid-2022.
That's even after a full vaccination program is in place. #9Today #Budget2021 #AusPol
DETAILS: https://t.co/RriJ27Kzc8 pic.twitter.com/lx3gBxjLF3— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 11, 2021
Today host Karl Stefanovic went on to say that Mr Morrison ought to be in a better mood this morning and asked if the PM was okay.
"It is a very big budget. Josh Frydenberg had a very big smile. I thought you might be happier this morning, PM?" Stefanovic asked.
"I'm fine, mate," Mr Morrison replied.
"I appreciate the care and concern.
"Budgets are big events and that's all fine but I just know the fight we're in.
"I am very cognisant of how big those challenges are, it is with me every second of every day."
The budget assumed the international borders would remain slammed shut until the second half of 2022, a belief that Mr Morrison says was necessary.
"The borders for now, of course they have to remain closed," he said.
"The pandemic is raging around the world. The idea that we could open Australia up in that environment is not responsible, it's not sensible."
He went on to say the government had worked hard to keep the virus out of Australia.
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the budget only benefits Mr Morrison ahead of the election in 2022.
Mr Albanese questioned the "plans" announced by Mr Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
"The treasurer spoke about plans for jobs – this is a plan for Scott Morrison's job, no one else's" Mr Albanese said.
Here's how the 2021 Federal Budget could help or hinder an average Aussie family. #9Today #Budget2021
We've done the hard yakka for you - everything you need to know about how the Budget will impact your and your family, explained simply: https://t.co/uQTJF5OaOT pic.twitter.com/ws27jsNLet— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 11, 2021
"There is no long-term plan here."
The $74 billion splurge is believed to set up decades of deficit that will see net debt peak at almost $1 trillion.
Mr Morrison said Treasury had looked "into the abyss" as the country faces down the biggest economic challenge since the Great Depression.
The budget has set up generations of Australians with decades of deficit that will see net debt peak at almost $1 trillion.
"Australians we are living in this country like virtually nowhere else in the world," Mr Morrison said.
"That has been hard won and we need to ensure we continue to hold on to these gains and we build on them."