All eyes will be on Canberra tonight when the Treasurer Wayne Swan delivers what’s anticipated to be a federal Budget with tough spending cuts and a modest surplus.

 

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has experts who can provide analysis.

 

Professor John Hicks, economics expert based at the School of Accounting and Finance in Bathurst said the government’s intent seems to be reaching a budget surplus no matter what. “That intent is misplaced and whether or not a surplus is warranted should be determined by the economic conditions at the time rather than a philosophical goal of achieving a surplus at all costs,” he said.”There are no strong arguments to move into surplus when some sectors of the Australian economy are not performing. In fact there may even be an argument for some areas to receive a targeted stimulus.”

 

 

Politics lecturer with CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr Troy Whitford will be in Canberra for Budget night. “The key factor will be how the Gillard Government will achieve the $10 billion in savings needed to bring the budget into surplus,” he said. “Good policy and transparent accounting or smoke and mirrors? All will be revealed tonight.” Dr Whitford is based in Wagga Wagga and will be available for comment on Wednesday 9 May.

 

 

Lecturer in child, youth and family welfare, Mr Neil Barber from CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Wagga Wagga is available to comment on how changes to welfare payments may affect families. “There needs to be a much longer term view of what the relationships are between work income support and education and family support policies,” Mr Barber said. “Rather than confusing people often living close to the tipping edge by giving and taking money and opportunities every budget and parliamentary cycle, it would be better to offer them structural certainty and confidence that participating in the workforce will not leave their children more vulnerable and less engaged.” Read more on his federal Budget comments on CSU News here.