FED:Abbott accused of $billion gaffe

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2010
FED:Abbott accused of $billion gaffe

Opposition Leader TONY ABBOTT has been accused of a seven billion dollar blunder in
terms of the coalition's election spending commitments .. opening the door for Labor to
attack his ability to manage the economy.

The nation's finances have continued to be the focus of the campaign today .. with
Mr ABBOTT and his treasury spokesman .. JOE HOCKEY .. appearing to be at odds on the issue.

Mr ABBOTT insisted during a morning radio interview that the coalition's spending commitments
would total less than 18 billion dollars.

But during a debate on the economy just hours later at the National Press Club in Canberra
.. Mr HOCKEY said the coalition's promised expenditure totalled more than 25 billion.

The coalition later moved to clarify the difference .. with finance spokesman ANDREW
ROBB saying there was no contradiction .. and that Mr ABBOTT had been asked about savings
measures while Mr HOCKEY was talking about spending commitments.

Labor's seized on the confusion .. with Mr SWAN saying it casts serious doubts over
Mr ABBOTT'S economic credentials.

AAP RTV kms/af

KEYWORD: POLL10 ECONOMY (CANBERRA)

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