Sydney--Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott ruled out an early election Wednesday during a media blitz to sell the budget as opponents accused the government of delaying fiscal repair to win votes.
The conservative administration's second budget on Tuesday shifted the focus away from reining in a huge deficit after harsh cuts to health and education last year triggered a backlash and a challenge to Abbott's leadership.
Instead, Treasurer Joe Hockey focused on making childcare more affordable and boosting small businesses in packages totalling Aus$10 billion (US$8 billion), while largely avoiding the swingeing cuts that damaged the government's popularity in 2014.
Analysts said it was a budget to encourage spending and stimulate growth, while delaying a return to surplus until 2019-20 -- something Abbott earlier pledged to achieve during his first term in office.
The Australian broadsheet ran a front-page headline that read "Leaning towards a poll", as several politicians also suggested the friendlier budget was a sign the government was preparing for an early election.
"I think the government is leaving their options open to go to an election by the end of this year," said independent senator Nick Xenophon. "This budget has enough sweeteners in it to allow them to go to the polls."
Polls must be held before January 2017 but Abbott insisted the government always planned to run a full term as he did the rounds of television and radio stations to pitch his plans and defend the high spending levels.
AFP
