“It’s good for the country”: PM doubles down on big-spending budget
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared his budget cash-splash in Western Australia wasn’t about winning votes in the upcoming Federal Election – but what was in the national interest.
Last night’s budget saw $2.1billion committed to WA’s 10-year infrastructure pipeline – a record investment.
Speaking on Perth LIVE, Morrison says he’s continuing to work with Premier Mark McGowan on a number of other projects.
“We’re doing this because it’s good for the country,” he told Oliver Peterson.
“Mark and I agree on so many things that are about driving the Western Australian government forward.
“That’s why I did the GST deal – I did it because it was good for the national interest.”
Press PLAY to hear the Prime Minister’s full interview on Perth LIVE
The Prime Minister denied he was throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Western Australia, driven by fear of losing key seats in the upcoming Federal Election.
“Previous Prime Ministers have heard that before, and they’ve gone on as they have to be able to win the support of the Australian people,” Morrison said.
“That’s not what last night’s budget was about. Last night’s budget is about ensuring the $100 billion improvement we’ve had to our budget in just the last 12 months.
“That we can immediately move to provide people with cost of living relief.”
The Prime Minister also responded to a scathing attack from Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells – who accused him of being an “autocrat” and a “bully”.
“I understand she’s disappointed. I understand she’s been disappointed in the past… I obviously don’t agree with her assessment,” he said.
“But if she has any formal complaints she’d like to make, in the Liberal Party we have processes for that.”