Keeping taxes low is what makes the Coalition different from Labor says Treasurer Josh Frydenberg at Wednesday's National Press Club post budget address.
The Treasurer accepted the Coalition had spent more in recent times due to the unprecedented nature of the coronavirus pandemic and war in Ukraine and argued these crises required further spending.
"I accept that we incurred higher spending during this crisis. I accept we are spending more than our predecessors on the NDIS, aged care and defence, but I put it to you, what was the alternative," he said.
"And now we have taken those steps and are seeing a repairing of the economy. It has a long way to go but we are doing it without increasing taxes. The same can't be said about those opposite."
When asked about the government's dwindling popularity and a spray on Tuesday night from Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells saying Prime Minister Scott Morrison was "not fit" for his position, the Treasurer remained confident of the Coalition's prospects to win the election.
The Treasurer told the press club that 500 members of the Liberal party made a decision on Senator Fierravanti-Wells' spot, saying "obviously I disagree with her assessment of the Prime Minister, a person who I have worked with really well."
Minister Frydenberg also referred back to what happened in 2019 when they were "written off across the board in the media and the obituary was written" when it came to predictions on the Coalition losing the 2019 election.
"History told a very different story," he said.
Treasurer Frydenberg's speech furthered Tuesday night's release of the 2022-23 economic budget, pushing that "Australia remains resilient, and Australians remain strong" as estimates paint further growth of the domestic economy with GDP for 2021-22 to rise 4.25 per cent and 3.5 per cent for 2022-23.
Minister Frydenberg also touched on relief to cost of living such as a 50 per cent reduction in fuel excise, long-term investment in skills such as $5000 payments to new apprentices, while furthering their priorities on national security.
"The number one topic of conversation around the kitchen tables of Australia right now is cost of living. COVID and events in Ukraine have disrupted global commodity markets and supply chains, driving up the prices of food and fuel," he said.
Further in his speech, the Treasurer argued the Labor party had hidden from view over the last three years was trying to "sneak into government" and risked implementing higher taxes.
