5 May 2016 by Leave a Comment

Opinion – Now for the main event

ROSS EASTGATE Townsville Bulletin 5 May 2016
AS budgets go, this was the budget you have when you’re not having a budget and so it went.

Smoothly slick for southern city dwellers but not cutting much slack north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

It was also a major political gamble.

When tomorrow as widely expected PM Turnbull announces a double dissolution election, all bets are off.

Tonight Bill Shorten will deliver Labor’s Budget reply, the only parliamentary debate Tuesday’s formal announcement will have.

Thus the Budget will be a document without formal parliamentary scrutiny, though no one should expect it will pass unremarked during the longish election campaign ahead.

For Defence there were no surprises, all the big ticket items having already been announced.

According to Treasurer Morrison, nine future frigates, 12 offshore patrol vessels and 12 new submarines will not only boost our defence capability, they will also drive jobs and growth – not just in Adelaide and Perth’s shipyards, but “right across the supply chain of our national economy”.

Whether the new, yet to be designed “regionally superior” submarines and other naval acquisitions fulfil the hyperbole or generate economic benefits in North Queensland are doubtfully untested outcomes.

 The Turnbull Government’s Cyber Security Strategy may “back Australian businesses to develop and promote cyber security capabilities globally with distinct strategic defence benefits”.

However, with careless politicians who should know better ignoring basic security rules that outcome remains extremely doubtful.

Yet there’s more.

An integrated inland rail link connecting Brisbane and Melbourne would be a great strategic asset but right now is simply fantasising.

 Proposed funding at $594 million to the Australian Rail Track Corporation for land acquisition and pre-construction activities sounds good but that is simply planning and not actual construction.

There’s small comfort for veterans.

Proposals in the 2014–15 Budget to end the three-month backdating of approved veterans’ disability claims have been dropped, while antiquated DVA systems will be updated to streamline claims processing.

Some $37.9 million to extend non-liability healthcare treatment particularly for mental illness for all serving and former ADF members irrespective of the length or type of service will be welcomed, as will extended funding for veteran suicide awareness and prevention workshops.

While welcome, these measures will not satisfy everyone.

Some military superannuants and disability pensioners are punting this election will give them a stronger parliamentary voice and are mobilising behind various noisy political opportunists.

Most have their money on horses lacking form and have failed to focus their arguments either within their organisations or more tellingly externally.

Canny punters instinctively understand loudly whinnying fillies and rampant stallions never have their eyes truly on the race.

And the race is about to begin.

The devil is always in the detail and given parliament will soon dissolve, the detail of this Budget will disappear into the background noise of what is shaping to be a vicious election battle.

As any tactician will tell you, a battle plan is only sound until the first shot is fired.

That will happen tomorrow when the election trigger is pulled.

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