Lexi,
Ok thanks for that. I'll google how much Howard left for Rudd & how much Rudd is leaving for Abbott.

individual,

Economic experts tell us that:

"Mr Howard left a surplus of 4% of GDP when it left
office. Indeed the Howard government did achieve a series
of surplus budgets. That is not very difficult in a time
of strong economic growth which delivered very high
tax revenues. But the Howard government also left
Australia with significant liabilities in terms of our
physical and intangible assets - our common wealth."

"It neglected our surface transport - our interstate roads,
railroads, urban public transport, starved our tertiary
education sector of funds, neglected investments which
could help us cope with the challenges of water
shortages, climate change and fossil fuel depletion."

"In short, it let fiscal impression management displace
sound economic management and directed political
attention to only one side of the public balance sheet -
the debt side while ignoring the asset side."

"If the Howard cabinet had been the board of a publicly
listed company, shareholders would have thrown them out
for weakening the company's asset base."

As for Mr Abbott? Is is possible to cut company tax,
cut the carbon tax, pay out for defence, take "direct
action" on climate change, create 2 million jobs,
and still balance the budget? Promises, promises,
yet Abbott and his colleagues still refuse to
reveal any details or costings.

Maybe Abbott can promise us a car in every garage as well!
All we have to do is vote for him - right?

Good Luck with that!