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.”

News_Rich_Media: 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).

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

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)

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

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)

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

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)

News_Image_File: The PM has since changed his mind about homelessness. Picture: 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)

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

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)

News_Image_File: ‘Oh, really?’ Picture: ABC

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)

News_Image_File: Bad. Verbal. Slip-up. Picture: 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.

Originally published as The words that will haunt Tony