Debt ceiling threat ruffles Swan

Wayne Swan has accused Joe Hockey of stealing from the US Tea Party playbook and threatening the country over a threat to debate and possibly block an increase in Australia’s debt ceiling.

Mr Swan, speaking in Perth, said Mr Hockey was engaging in a “tacky political strategy” while ignoring the international economic environment with this demand over the Government’s plan to increase the country’s debt limit to $300 billion. Though total debt will not approach $300 billion, the Australian Office of Financial Management said a big buffer was needed to maintain investor confidence.

At the National Press Club in Canberra, Mr Hockey said the Government had previously promised not to increase the debt cap but had broken those commitments.

“We do not accept the current proposed justification for an increase in the Commonwealth debt limit to $300 billion,” he said.

But Mr Swan said such a move could pose a substantial risk to the country. “I think Joe Hockey should desist from playing this Tea Party politics and run with such an irresponsible scare campaign about our debt ceiling,” he said.

Mr Hockey also used his address to water down the coalition’s commitment to the National Disability Insurance Scheme despite not ruling out a levy or tax to pay for it.

While again expressing doubt that Mr Swan would achieve the surplus, Mr Hockey was shy to commit the coalition to any new policies that were not fully funded, such as the NDIS.

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