Forget the pompous editorials and highly paid commentators. When it comes to dissecting the Budget, it’s the reaction from talkback callers like Bernie in Sydney, Ivan in Cairns and Pat in Melbourne that really counts.

Disability pensioners like Janette and Bill aren’t happy and singles and climate change worriers like Daniel and Julie are equally underwhelmed but the majority of feedback this morning was positive.

As for caller Peter in Sydney, he watched It Takes Two instead, a little hint that the TV ratings may be the real yardstick of the public’s care factor.  

A glance at the most commonly used words on talkback in this tag cloud throws up unsurprising terms like pensioner but it also indicates the issues on the airwaves: words like disability, school, tax, children, cuts, dental, petrol, solar and universities:

‘ (4) -caller (5) 2ue (4) 3aw (4) 4bc (6) 5aa (5) adelaide (6) aged (3) allocated (4) anything (3) asks (8) being (3) believes (3) benefit (9) bill (6) bob (5) bonus (4) brady (4) brisbane (7) brown (3) bruce (3) byner (3) calls (3) canberra (6) card (3) care (3) carers (3) channel (3) children (6) chris (14) claims (5) comperes (3) concerned (4) conlon (7) cost (4) country (7) cuts (12) dana (3) daniel (4) david (6) dental (4) dick (3) disability (9) early (5) education (5) election (5) email (5) encouraging (3) everyone (4) farm (3) fed (12) gives (5) going (5) goldman (7) government (8) govt (15) grant (5) health (3) hobart (6) howard (10) hughes (5) increase (3) interest (3) janette (3) jeffreys (4) jon (5) jones (4) julie (4) kevin (6) labor (11) laws (4) leader (4) leave (3) likes (5) looking (4) lot (8) mackenzie (3) major (3) mansfield (4) margaret (5) maurice (3) means (4) mike (4) minister (3) miss (3) mitchell (3) money (18) mr (3) needs (3) nightline (3) nights (4) north (8) notes (5) nothing (6) nsw (4) parents (4) paula (4) pensioner (8) pensioners (8) perspective (3) petrol (4) philip (3) pilkington (4) plan (3) previous (4) prices (4) problems (3) public (3) queensland (6) rail (3) rather (3) ray (3) really (3) response (5) roads (4) ron (5) ross (5) rudd (12) school (12) seniors (4) services (3) sharon (8) single (5) social (3) solar (3) sounded (3) spencer (6) spending (5) state (4) support (4) symons (3) system (6) takes (3) talk (4) talks (4) tapiolas (4) tax (18) thinks (13) tony (4) townsville (4) treasurer (10) universities (5) vote (7) water (4) wayne (5) week (3) women (4) wonders (5) work (4) year (13) created at TagCrowd.com

And this snapshot of the talkback verdict, via Media Monitors, shows us who cares about what, and where:

HEART FM (Hobart) dis
Across Australia – 09/05/2007 – 09:51 AM
Charles Wooley

Caller Robert says that the Murray River is looking pretty slim and the Goulburn River looks as brown as his morning coffee. Robert says that he wants to congratulate Fed Treasurer Peter Costello for his Fed Budget. He reveals that he has always voted for Labor but will this year vote Liberal because PM John Howard has created more jobs than Labor ever has. He predicts that Mr Howard might defeat Fed Oppn Leader Kevin Rudd. Wooley suggests that Mr Howard might lose his Fed seat.
________________________________________

Easy Listening 846 AM (Cairns)
John Mackenzie – 09/05/2007 – 09:47 AM
John MacKenzie 

Caller, Ivan, says the Federal Budget is great for everyone and praises Federal Treasurer Peter Costello for making people better off. Ivan thinks Kevin Rudd, Federal Opposition Leader, is now probably trying to figure out new ways of wasting money. Mackenzie says Rudd has spoken very well so far in response and has stood up excellently. Ivan says Labor Governments are always big spenders and wasters. Ivan says the Queensland Governments dumping of water from Tinaroo Dam is all about a money grab from Stanwell.
________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:42 AM
Jon Faine

Caller Pat says that the new Federal Budget is focused on the city people, and farmers and country people are not getting looked after, like with the solar panel rebate. She also says that the Govt is not encouraging dectwoentralisation, nor reducing imports.
________________________________________

2GB (Sydney)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 09:39 AM
Alan Jones

Caller Bernie says the budget didn’t speak about benefits for self-funded retirements. Jones says the biggest benefit to anybody in retirement is to have a strong economy. Bernie says the only benefit self-funded retirees get is the PBS, and there didn’t used to be superannuation.

________________________________________

ABC 936 Hobart (Hobart)
Statewide Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:37 AM
Tim Cox

Caller Brian thinks the previous speaker needs to talk to David Llewellyn and Michael Polly(*) who fight tooth and nail over hospitals. Caller was disappointed with Michael Aird’s response to the budget this morning. The caller thinks this budget is a good one and he gives credit to Peter Costello for the education package which takes the politics a step further by directing subsidies straight to individuals rather than risk letting state govts get their hands on the loot for their own political purposes. Caller thinks the state’s excellent education minister is very concerned about the retention rate in our schools. Caller thinks the transport problems in the capital city are a total disgrace and it is about time infrastructure got their act together and got these things up and ready for the grants that are available under Auslink.

________________________________________

2SM (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:36 AM
Leon Delaney

Caller Warren, says that the Fed tax budget is a clever election ploy. Warren says that he doesn’t like the Fed Govt because they are all privateers and sell of public assets. He says that if there is Crown property, wether land, enterprises or industries, they belong to the public, not Govt’s who need to prop up their fiscal management.

________________________________________

2GB (Sydney)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 09:35 AM
Alan Jones

Caller Betty talks about an email yesterday about a word game. They talk about treasurer Peter Costello. Betty has been voting since 1949 and this is the best budget she can remember. Jones says people should thank Costello, even if it’s grudgingly.
______________________________________

3AW (Melbourne)
Morning – 09/05/2007 – 09:34 AM
Neil Mitchell

Caller Rick comments Kevin Rudd, Federal Opposition Leader, ALP sounded ‘fairly well rattled’ in his interview with Mitchell. He adds it was the same scenario for Wayne Swan, Shadow Federal Treasurer as he was interviewed on the ABC overnight. He comments the Federal Government has ‘well and truly got their measure’ after releasing the Budget overnight, where ALP can only fall in response. Mitchell comments the Budget was ‘clever’ and it is not a huge ‘vote tuner’ that disability pensioners were not given much under it. He comments Rudd only sounded rattled when he asked him did he say he would win the Federal election and actually was ‘on top’ of the interview.

________________________________________

2UE (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:33 AM
John Laws

Caller Troy is ‘filthy’ with the budget and can not believe they have only allocated $860m to farmers to help with the drought. Laws says they will get help for land conservation and tax breaks. Caller says they are past the time for land care and are worried about getting crops in the ground. Laws says the Govt can not make it rain. Caller says he has not made a profit in five years. He says they need help to hire people. Laws says women are scared to leave their husband’s alone on he farm because they may suicide.

________________________________________

HEART FM (Hobart)
Across Australia – 09/05/2007 – 09:26 AM
Charles Wooley

Wooley says Tina Shaw, Business Mum’s Network, has been following the Budget on behalf on single parents. Shaw describes the Budget as ‘huge’, saying it has been positive for single parents in comparison to previous Budgets. She says in response to caller Janette, the Govt will provide $62m over four years for childcare services for children with ongoing high support needs. She says those on welfare, including single parents who are out of work, have ‘missed the boat’. Wooley says he will speak to the Treasurer later in the program.
________________________________________

ABC Mid North Coast NSW (Port Macquarie)
Morning Show – 09/05/2007 – 09:25 AM
Fiona Wyllie

Caller Tony says the Federal Government lost an opportunity in the budget by not promising funding for reopening the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line. He says it would show the NSW Government have lied about returning trains.

________________________________________

HEART FM (Hobart)
Across Australia – 09/05/2007 – 09:23 AM
Charles Wooley

Caller Janette says the Budget has helped everyone but disability pensioners over 65. Wooley says he thinks people in that group were allocated something. Janette says she has not heard of any benefits for these people. Wooley says there is a provision for $1,000 for carers. He says he will discuss the matter with Peter Costello, Federal Treasurer.

________________________________________

5AA (Adelaide)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:23 AM
Leon Byner

Margaret says it’s interesting to hear Mr Howard talking about the budget. She says in the newspaper it said about seniors getting $500. Margaret asks if it’s just for people who own seniors cards or people who get the aged pension as well. Byner says he thinks it’s both.  Margaret says she never bothered to get a seniors card but will now because of the discounts. Margaret says her husband doesn’t go on the aged pension until October and she asks if he misses out. Byner says he may miss out.

________________________________________

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:22 AM
Virginia Trioli

Caller Daniel talks about climate change. Daniel says it’s real and the science is there. Daniel says there’s no measures to do anything about it. Daniel says we need efficiency, we need to reduce the size of cars, and make it so you can ride about without getting killed on the roads. Trioli says it’s not the ‘green’ budget that everybody speculated it would be.

________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:22 AM
Jon Faine

Caller Peter says the budget is completely unfair on state schools. Peter says four times as much money is going to private schools. Peter says do not vote for John Howard if your children attend public schools.

________________________________________

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:20 AM
Virginia Trioli

Caller Chris says the Federal Budget is ‘cunning’. Chris says we’ve been starved of tax increases for lower and middle-paid workers for years. Chris says it’s a social injustice, as it’s too little, too late. Trioli says some people are criticising the budget as there’s not a great deal of ‘nation building’ included. Trioli says there’s some money allocated for infrastructure projects like heavy rail and some roads, however our response as a country seems to be ‘me me me’. Chris says his partner would rather her increase goes to hospitals. Trioli notes they’re a state responsibility.

________________________________________

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:18 AM
Virginia Trioli

Caller John says the Govt is moving $5 billion into our universities and we have low unemployment and inflation. John says we’re a lucky country, and should be looking at the future. John talks about where the Federal Budget is spending, and says all the boxes are starting to be ticked.

________________________________________

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:16 AM
Virginia Trioli

Caller Sharon says she’s really cranky about the budget. Sharon says she’s a swinging voter, and a small employer. Sharon says from a financial perspective she needs to votes Liberal, however from a social justice perspective they have not done it for her. Sharon says if she votes Labor she will have to lose one of her staff members as their economic policies will not fit in with what’s economically applicable to her. Sharon says interest rates will go up. Sharon says NSW Labor has ‘ruined it’. Sharon says she has a child with learning difficulties, who won’t be eligible for the $700 as she’s not in year three or year six. Sharon says the Liberal Govt hasn’t taken enough of a social justice perspective.
________________________________________

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:13 AM
Virginia Trioli

Caller Anne says education has been lauded as the ‘centrepiece’ of Peter Costello’s budget. Anne says there’s no longer a limit on the number of full-fee degrees that universities can offer. Anne says if there is no limit it could mean that the majority of places offered in universities will be for fee-payers, and people will be shut-out of the tertiary education system. Trioli says the Prime Minister John Howard was asked about this this morning, and said that the system they’re putting in place gels with what the Vice Chancellors’ have said they want. Anne says Gavin Brown has always opted for full-fee paying students. Trioli says all the universities have. Anne says we’re going to have a ‘two tiered’ system, as we do with a lot of things in Aust such as health and education. Anne says the Govt axed the Commonwealth Dental Scheme when they came in ten years ago. Anne says this explains why there’s 650,000 on the waiting list.
________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:09 AM
Jon Faine

Caller Peter says the budget is very election-targeted. Peter says the major issue facing us in climate change. Peter says he would expected to see a much larger budget allocation for renewable energy.

________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:08 AM
Jon Faine

Caller Barbara mentions Wayne Swan’s comments that the ALP’s policies have been robbed by the Govt. Barbara says it is a very good budget.
________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:07 AM
Jon Faine

Caller Bill says the budget does not address Aust’s massive trade deficit. Bill says the skills shortage has not been addressed. Faine points out that that some money has been set aside for the Aust’n Technical Colleges, which is the Commonwealth alternative to state-funded TAFEs. Faine says there is also money for apprentices. Bill says the Federal Govt is closing the door after the horse has bolted.
________________________________________

ABC New England North West (Tamworth)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 09:05 AM
Suzanne Hill

Caller David believes the Federal Treasurer is looking for the popular vote with tax cuts. David is concerned that when the cost of living kicks in the tax cuts will be rendered useless. The treasurer has ignored self funded retirees again says David, who adds they will continue to struggle with the cost of living.
________________________________________

ABC New England North West (Tamworth)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 08:57 AM
Suzanne Hill

Caller John Clements, executive officer, Namoi Water is concerned the $10b Murray Darling plan will provide efficiency gains but there appears to be a lacking in the detail. There are different figures appearing in the Budget than those that were signed off last year says Clements. Clements is meeting with Anthony Albanese, Federal Shadow Minister for Water next week to update him on the situation.
________________________________________

ABC North Queensland (Townsville)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 08:49 AM
Paula Tapiolas 

Caller, John, is a pensioner and he is not happy about last night’s Budget at all. He said the one-off payments are simply a vote catcher.

________________________________________

ABC Gippsland (Sale)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 08:49 AM
Gerard Callinan

Caller Bill asks why people on disability support pensions missed out in the federal budget.

________________________________________

ABC North Queensland (Townsville)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 08:45 AM
Paula Tapiolas

Caller, Brian, is a pensioner who is concerned about a double GST charge on electricity bills wondering if it is legal.  Brian also thinks last nights Budget is lacking when it comes to pensioners and those with a disability.

________________________________________

ABC North Queensland (Townsville)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 08:44 AM
Paula Tapiolas

Caller, Robyn, falls into the double income no kids category and says the Budget offers very little for her and her partner. She said she will get a tax cut next year but that will be gobbled up by interest rate rises, the price of electricity and fuel going up. She believes the Budget should have more about society rather than the handout approach.

________________________________________

2SM (Sydney)
Grant Goldman – 09/05/2007 – 08:43 AM
Grant Goldman

Caller, Ray, liked caller John. Goldman says we are bowing to the lie from the Fed Govt that we have to lower our wages to compete on the Asian stage. He says South Korea’s wage structure is far superior. Ray says in reference to the budget ‘this is the Telstra sale money coming back’. He says the biggest growing demand today is the corner shop selling second hand false teeth. Goldman says you can get false teeth at any surf club.

________________________________________

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 08:41 AM
Virginia Trioli

Caller Jack says he must be a cane toad or a terrorist, as he didn’t get anything in the 2007 budget. Jack says all seniors over 70 who don’t have a Medical healthcare card don’t get a benefit. Jack says he’s a self-funded retiree. Max Newnham, Author, ‘Super Made Simple’, notes Jack received a big benefit last year. Jack says he has to shop for clothes at St Vincent de Paul, and can’t even go to K-Mart or Target to buy new clothes. Newnham says Centrelink can be good at offering advice.
________________________________________

ABC North Queensland (Townsville)
Mornings – 09/05/2007 – 08:40 AM
Paula Tapiolas

Caller, Chris, says he is ambivalent about last night’s federal Budget.
________________________________________

2CC (Canberra)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 08:20 AM
Mike Jeffreys

Talkback caller Wayne asks about the $1,000 payment for carers in last nights budget asking if it does not include those under 65 yrs old. Jeffreys notes previous complaints that payments rarely include money for single people, only families. Wayne says he has had three quarters of his teeth taken out and the rest will have to come out before the benefits of the dental care rebates come through.

________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 07:43 AM
Red Symons

Caller Jeff comments the Federal Government has over taxed Australians for the last three years, where the [Budget] gives Australians the money the Government took away in the first instance.

________________________________________

2CC (Canberra)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 07:43 AM
Mike Jeffreys

Caller Samuel says he is impressed by the Budget. He says he is intrigued by the automatic tax returns and the level of detail within them. He wonders if it will tie in with the National Access Card. Jeffreys wonders how ‘hackable’ the system will be.

________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 07:42 AM
Red Symons

Caller Millroy says school teachers should tutor on the school and rent the school property, so schools and teachers can all receive the $700 voucher benefit [from the Budget].

________________________________________

ABC 666 Canberra (Canberra)
Early Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 07:36 AM
Ross Solly

Caller Marilyn says that people whinge too much as we are lucky to live in this country. She says that she will look at getting a solar hot water system for her house. Caller Patrick says if a business had a $16b surplus the management would be ‘out the door.’ He says more money should be spent on the John Curtin School of Medical Research. Caller Brian says the Budget is ‘what we all expected.’
________________________________________

ABC North Coast NSW (Lismore)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 07:28 AM
Justine Frazier

Caller Judith says the Federal Budget has nothing in it for her and explains why. She is a disability support pensioner.

________________________________________

ABC 666 Canberra (Canberra)
Early Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 07:22 AM
Ross Solly

Talkback.
– Email: Crispy says the Budget is an attempt to by votes.
– Email: Cameron says money is wasted in the Budget on encouraging overpopulation.
– Email: Brian says there is nothing in the Budget for middle-income earners.
– Email: James says that ‘disinvestment’ is a word.
– Caller Julie says that it is morally corrupt for a Govt to have such a large surplus.
________________________________________

2SM (Sydney)
Grant Goldman – 09/05/2007 – 07:22 AM
Grant Goldman

Caller, Harold, says you cannot please everyone about the budget. He says a rockmelon at the supermarket yesterday was selling for $7 a kilo. He says petrol at Toormina(*) last Wednesday was $1.25 in the morning, $1.35 at midday, $1.24 at 4:30pm. On Thursday morning it was $1.23. It was going up to $1.35 on Thursday afternoon. On Friday it was down to $1.24. Goldman says this is where the ACCC are falling down. He says prices in QLD are still quite high considering they are subsidised.

________________________________________

ABC 720 Perth (Perth)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 07:20 AM
Eoin Cameron

Caller Georgia says she simply cannot find a child care centre vacancy to send her children to. Of the Fed Budget overall, Georgia says a lot more could have been done to address Austs soaring drug and crime problems.

________________________________________

NOVA 100.3 (Melbourne)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 06:39 AM
Peter Helliar and Dave Hughes

The comperes talk about the Fed Budget that was handed down last night. Hughes takes calls from listeners so he can work out how much cash they will get off Peter Costello. Caller John is a train driver. He earns about $90,000 a year before tax. Hughes asks if he works for Connex. Hughes says that John will save $14.42 a week.

________________________________________

4BC (Brisbane)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 06:37 AM
Peter Dick & Ross Davie & Chris Adams & Vicotria Carthew

Comperes discuss last night’s Federal Budget announcement. Comperes say a $15 per week tax cut does not mean much. Davie says he thinks the $700 for tutoring school children is a good idea.
-Caller Ed says if you need the money it means a lot to you, but if you don’t need the money, it does mean a lot to you.
– Caller Russell says you cannot knock the budget.
-Caller Lorraine says she thinks the budget is a responsible one for the country.

________________________________________

NOVA 100.3 (Melbourne)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 06:24 AM
Peter Helliar and Dave Hughes

Caller Andy, truck driver, says federal budget spending on the roads will make his job a lot easier. Andy says the worst road he travels on is Barrier Highway. Helliar says the budget has also provided $2,125 per year for dental costs and this is ‘a lot of Listerine.’

________________________________________

5AA (Adelaide)
Pilkington & Conlon – 09/05/2007 – 06:16 AM
Tony Pilkington & Keith Conlon

Jane says disability pensioners always miss out in the Fed Budget. She says they just don’t count. Conlon says that is a good point because the $500 bonus is for aged pensioners only.

________________________________________

5AA (Adelaide)
Pilkington & Conlon – 09/05/2007 – 06:15 AM
Tony Pilkington & Keith Conlon

John says the Fed budgets tax cuts and the raising of the tax threshold is ‘cool’. He wonders what is in the budget for a pensioner. Conlon says pensioners will get $500 up front. John says that bonus won’t go very far considering the cost of tomatoes. He says he was hoping for a reduction in petrol and food prices. Pilko says that will never happen. Conlon says the Treasurer can’t control food prices. Pilko says the Govt may reduce the petrol excise closer to the election.

________________________________________

B105 (Brisbane)
The Morning Crew – 09/05/2007 – 06:14 AM
Labrat, Stav and Camilla

– Caller Michelle says the $16 tax cut is ridiculous and will not make much of a difference.
-Caller Matthew says the tax cuts in the budget are very useful and says anyone who complains about them can give them to him if he likes.

________________________________________

4BC (Brisbane)
05:30-06:00 Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 05:58 AM
Peter Dick and Ross Davies

Caller Leslie continues the discussion on the Budget, saying she thinks they stole a few things from Oppn Leader Kevin Rudd. She says it is all ‘fooey’ , and when people talk about inexperience, UK Premier Tony Blair was a young man too. Davie says he thinks it is ‘all over’ for Rudd and PM John Howard will be back.

________________________________________

ABC 774 Melbourne (Melbourne)
Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 05:52 AM
Red Symons

Caller Mick, transport industry worker, says the federal budget is about people who are not much better off on the dole or people on a reasonably comfortable wage. Mick says a lot of people in the transport industry are virtually on the poverty line ‘god forbid the government gives money to those who need it.’

________________________________________

2UE (Sydney)
Early Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 05:49 AM
Mike Carlton and Peter FitzSimons

Caller, Dana, says she is blind. Dana says she got nothing from the budget but was hoping for an increase. She says there was nothing for disability services.

________________________________________

2UE (Sydney)
Early Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 05:47 AM
Mike Carlton and Peter FitzSimons

Caller, Ray, says he thought the budget went really well but he was only interested in the veterans part. He says the payments they are giving out are not means tested. He says veterans cannot get a service pension because it is means tested. He says they should eliminate the means test. Carlton says POWs from Europe get $25,000.

________________________________________

4BC (Brisbane)
05:30-06:00 Breakfast – 09/05/2007 – 05:44 AM
Peter Dick and Ross Davies

Caller Bill calls about the Budget, joking about there being ‘nothing for the dolphins’.

________________________________________

ABC 702 Sydney (Sydney)
Breakfast (early) – 09/05/2007 – 05:42 AM
Adam Spencer

– Caller Gorden says he’s a pensioner, so he’s thankful for the $500 he gets with the new Budget.
– Caller Sue says she didn’t really get anything in the new Budget.
– Caller Peter says he watched It Takes Two instead of the Budget. ________________________________________

2UE (Sydney)
Nights – 08/05/2007 – 10:38 PM
Stuart Bocking

Caller Dana says the Federal Budget does nothing for about 650,000 people on disability pensions and she is angry.

________________________________________

3AW (Melbourne)
Nightline – 08/05/2007 – 10:13 PM
Bruce Mansfield & Philip Brady

Caller Phil says he thinks the latest Budget sounds pretty responsible, and he’s glad they’re doing something about the dental issue.

________________________________________

4BC (Brisbane)
Evenings – 08/05/2007 – 09:14 PM
Ian Maurice

Caller Eli comments on being a disability pensioner and again being left out of the federal budget, saying they keep reducing the hours you can work.

________________________________________

4BC (Brisbane)
Evenings – 08/05/2007 – 09:13 PM
Ian Maurice

Caller Julie comments on tonight’s budget announcement, saying anyone finding a hole in it is hard to please, Maurice saying that Bob Brown and Wayne Swan have managed to find problems. Julie says the carers’ bonus is very important.

________________________________________

Triple M (Adelaide)
The Spoonman – 08/05/2007 – 09:03 PM
Spoonman

Tracey says the population is crying for the Govt to take the environment seriously. She says $6b has been pledged for defence in the Budget yet there isn’t even a billion for the environment. Spoonman wonders if Peter Costello is planning on running a massive pipe down the side of the rail line that’s going to be built from Queensland to Melbourne. He says at the end of the day, Aust has no capacity to defend itself and if we get in any major dramas, we have to pick up the phone and call the Americans. He says he has no issue with the extra defence spending.

________________________________________

3AW (Melbourne)
Nightline – 08/05/2007 – 08:54 PM
Bruce Mansfield & Philip Brady

Caller Chris talks about Keith Richards. He says there was nothing in the budget for wind farms. He says the Kings Creek Hotel has its own farm and power.

________________________________________

3AW (Melbourne)
Nightline – 08/05/2007 – 08:24 PM
Bruce Mansfield & Philip Brady

Caller Chris, ex-Labor voter, says he did not watch the budget. Chris says mental health issues got in the way. Chris claims the Fed Govt is sending the wrong message to women with the $8,000 reimbursement and the $600 carers allowance and the baby bonus. Chris claims it is too easy for women to leave men and rely on Centrelink benefits and be single parents. Chris argues relationships should be encouraged. Chris claims a state trustee should fund the baby bonuses and childcare allowances. Chris claims he won $600 on the TAB. Mansfield and Brady claims few have a baby for $8,000. Simon Owens, Producer, defends the support for women who do need to leave relationships.

________________________________________

5AA (Adelaide)
Bob Francis – 08/05/2007 – 08:24 PM
Bob Francis

David says he likes the new budget. He says in particular he likes the funding to struggling school children. Francis says children who fail to meet literacy and numeracy bench marks in school exams will be given $700 vouchers to help them pay for extra tuition. David says the tax cuts are also great and people should stop giving the Federal govt grief about this as it is helpful. He says Kevin Rudd used to be referred to Dr Death in QLD because of the cuts he made to the health system there. He says Labor knows how to spend money but don’t know how to manage money. He says Labor criticises Costello for the tax cuts but the last time Labor promised tax cuts it was called LAW tax cuts.

________________________________________

5AA (Adelaide)
Bob Francis – 08/05/2007 – 08:09 PM
Bob Francis

Ron says lord help us if Kevin Rudd gets in. Francis says he is a John Howard fan and is happy with how the country is situated. He says Peter Costello has done a very nice job tonight in the budget. He says Rudd will come on tomorrow night and have a go at everything that is wrong in Costello’s budget. Ron says the Australian attitude is that Howard has been in too long so thats why Rudd is doing well in the polls. Francis says every time Howard does something good, Rudd acknowledges it. He says everyone in the Labor party, Gough Whitlam included, was backing up the previous wanker Mark Latham. Ron says he liked when Julia Gillard said the AWA is no good because they want collective bargaining. Francis says if Labor wins the next election, the unions will take control. Ron says Labor don’t know how to manage money. Francis says people can see Howard’s backing of George W. Bush. Ron comments on the singer Francis had on his show last night. Francis says she is the wife of the owner of his seven day supermarket.

________________________________________

4BC (Brisbane)
Drive – 08/05/2007 – 03:24 PM
Rod Tiley and John Miller

Caller Julie says we should be grateful the Government has money to spend in its budget tonight. Miller says this is a way for the Government to say how well they have run the country ahead of this year’s election.

________________________________________

ABC 936 Hobart (Hobart)
Statewide Mornings – 08/05/2007 – 09:05 AM
Tim Cox

Caller Beth wonders how many people remember the goody of Federal Treasurer Peter Costello in last year’s budget subsidising car conversion from petrol to gas. Beth says there was lots of difficulty implementing this plan and suspects the mooted $8,000 subsidy for solar panels on homes will achieve the same result of zero.