Renee Viellaris: No sting, just reward in 2019 Federal Budget

The 2019 Federal Budget is as much about sandbagging the Government as it is the economy, but the tactics show that the Morrison Government wants to snap voters out of their apathy and will not let them try before they buy, writes Renee Viellaris.

SCOTT Morrison and Josh Frydenberg are sandbagging their Government as much as they are sandbagging the economy.

This Budget is an election-fighting Budget, but the tactics show that they want to snap voters out of their apathy and will not let them try before they buy.

If Australians want bigger and better tax cuts and the $10 billion infrastructure splurge that will “build Australian for current and future generations”, they will have to give the Coalition a third term.

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They will not rush through the tax cuts before the election. They also want a clear point of difference between themselves and “Bill Shorten’s $200 billion tax hit”.

Morrison knows voters are sick of the political introspection and political coups.

Too often, political parties have taken away the job voters love – kicking out a Prime Minister they do not like.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison listens to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg deliver the Budget in the House of Representatives. Picture: Getty

But Morrison has a theory. He believes voters will forgive his Government if it is investing in roads and rail and getting the country moving.

It was a clear takeout from Labor’s win in the Victorian election.

Despite being plagued by a red shirt scandal, voters rewarded Premier Daniel Andrews for getting them to work earlier and home sooner.

This is key in Queensland, the most decentralised state in the country.

But this Budget also gives Morrison a path to victory at the May poll.

There’s no sting, just reward.

The Budget is in surplus for the first time in 12 years. It may not mean much some voters, but Morrison will remind them every day of the campaign that without a strong economy, a government cannot provide more medicines, more money for schools and one-off payments to help those on struggle street pay their electricity prices.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten smiles while listening to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg deliver the budget. Picture: Getty

The personal income tax cuts are Morrison’s way of giving Australians a pay increase.

Even though unemployment is low, wage growth is not growing as fast as voters demand.

There are warnings though in this Budget.

There are serious concerns about investment in dwelling approvals.

That gives Morrison a potent weapon in his fight against Shorten’s negative gearing and capital gains tax changes.

Brexit, trade wars, drought and extreme weather events have sounded alarm bells for treasury boffins – which is another reason for the deeper tax cuts.

The Budget needs a sugar hit and soon. It needs people spending money, especially as the Budget papers downgrade real GDP growth from December.

The nation is at an economic crossroads – and Morrison will warn voters that turning left will leave the country on a road to ruin.