TTBN, 80 cents out of every income tax dollar is paid out in welfare.

80 PERCENT!

Of the 100% paid, 8 out of every ten contributors get 100% their tax back via welfare, and more in some cases.

How much more do you think the better off should pay, because the two high income earners already subsidize the other 8 and you must remember, negative gearing plays a huge part in providing the home these families live in while trying to save for their own.

How much harder do you think their savings plan would get if rents increased by 5,10,15 or 20%, because that is a real possibility should NG be taken away from older homes.

Some of the much older, run down homes, the ones that rent for so much less, are bought for land value only and land banked. These homes will no longer be bought if labor gets its way, so the rents will skyrocket.

Young families are already getting plenty of tax payer assistance, however, the key to them is, what they choose to do with the CASH. I say cash, because that is the big mistake. Take the cash away and you would see many changes.

Welfare waste plays a bigger role in housing affordability for the poor than negative gearing.

As for the budget, no surprizes however I do think many need a lesson on the meaning of the words 'temporary levy'. But tall poppies will never change.

It is a budget by a government that shows no sign that it knows what
is going on re growth and economies world wide.
They should be repaying as much of the loans as possible.
I note the Exxon has lost its AAA rateing and a number of other straws
in the wind show that the world economy is not in very good form.

I expect that the oppositions reply tonight will continue the illusion.

Only the greens response made sense in that there was no allocation
for alternative energy systems. Mind you the greens do not understand
why it is urgent find a sustainable base load system.

Bazz I agree with the first part of your post, but please tell us "why it is urgent find a "sustainable" base load system".

Anyone who has done the research & math knows there is no reason not to use coal. It is, & will be the best, least polluting, least dangerous & most economical way of generating power for many decades to come. I'm surprised you are not one of them.

Butch, no need to exaggerate "80 PERCENT" On the 2015/16 estimates overall expenditure was set at $434.47 billion with social security and welfare $154 billion, which represents 35% not 80%, Of the $154 billion $60.7 billion was for Aged welfare around 39%. Families $38.1 25%, Disabilities $29.5 19%, Unemployed $11.5 7%, all others combined 10%.

Can you produce your 80% figure?

I think it reflects that a man who understands business, as distinct from a trade union leader, is in charge.

Money to develop the North, encouragement for rich people to invest in start up businesses, so that we too can benefit as America has, are all great concepts, thinking about the future.

These things go right over the heads of your green voters, who somehow seem to think that jobs are created by magic.

Thank You for your comments thus far.

I'm not an economist, however my own reaction and quite
a few economic experts appear to agree that
the budget numbers appear credible. I was pleased that
they're cracking down on multinationals, and being
tough on superannuation for top income earners, that
there are tax cuts for small to medium business, that
they're increasing levies on tobacco. Which are just a
few of the things to come out of Scott Morrison's
budget.

NAB Chief Economist Alan Oster's initial reaction was to
describe this budget as being one set up for an election.
"One that erases just enough of Abbott-Hockey."
Oster, also referred to corporate tax cuts for small and
medium business, stimulating growth, infrastructure, health
and education, cracking down on multinationals, and
increasing tobacco levies, and the fact that the budget
numbers are credible.

There's an interesting article by Peter Martin in the
Sydney Morning Herald on the budget that's interesting.

"The more you look at it the better it gets."

It's worth a read.