CANBERRA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Friday accused the opposition of economic irresponsibility in its response to the federal budget.
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson Thursday night delivered his budget reply speech, proposing that a coalition government would spend 1.8 billion dollars (1.7 billion U.S. dollars) to cut the fuel excise.
Rudd, while visiting Brisbane to announce 10 million dollars (9.4 million U.S. dollars) for the Gateway Upgrade Project over the Brisbane River, said the opposition was being irresponsible with the 22 billion dollars (20.6 billion U.S. dollars) budget surplus.
"This is economy irresponsibility," Rudd told reporters.
"What Dr Nelson and Mr Turnbull have done is conducting a 22 billion dollar raid on the surplus which means upward pressure on inflation and upward pressure on interest rates," Australian Associated Press quoted the prime minister as saying.
Rudd rejected opposition claims the budget was a raw deal for pensioners.
"I think you'll find that what we're delivering in the budget is at least equal to what those opposite are offering," he said.
