Senator Duncan Spender of the Liberal Democrats has hit the ground running by proposing a detailed alternative Budget that would slash taxes and target government spending to those in need.

Senator Spender was appointed on March 20 to fill the vacancy left by David Leyonhjelm, his former boss who is vying for a seat in the NSW Legislative Council. Senator Spender’s alternative Budget was published today, March 26, in The Australian Financial Review.

“If the Treasurer gets hit by a bus and the Government need a replacement I’m available,” Senator Spender said.

“If I can publish an alternative budget within six days of being in office, imagine what I could do if I’m elected for six more years.

“We can cut taxes to save Australians more than $10,000 a year.

“We can deliver a $34 billion surplus, after more than a decade of budget deficits from both Labor and the Coalition, and we can start paying off the debt that’s hanging over the head of future generations.

“All we need to do is focus health and education spending on people with low incomes, chronic illness or disability, and not on those who can look after themselves.

“The Liberal Democrats are the only party promoting liberal policies, such as across-the-board tax cuts.

“We can cut income tax, saving the typical Australian $8,000 a year.

“We can abolish fuel tax to bring back $1 fuel.

“We can abolish alcohol tax so that drinkers aren’t taxed more than teetotallers like me.

“We can abolish tobacco tax so that smokers, who are disproportionately low income Australians, aren’t punished for their addiction.

“And by working with the States, we can abolish stamp duty so that renters can break into the housing market without hurting house prices for existing home owners.”

View the alternative Budget here.

Media: Kate Fantinel 0401 620 227

Kate.Fantinel@aph.gov.au