The Federal Budget was clearly an election budget. When opinion polling shows that the Coalition is on top, the Prime Minister is likely to go to the polls.
The big-spending (and huge deficit) budget is aimed at stimulating the economy to ensure an economic recovery.
This is reflected in key items:
$1.5 billion for manufacturing (much more is needed).
$2 billion for research and development, backed by halving company tax on income earned and developed and registered patents to 17 p…