Q: We’ll give the audience the numbers again as to what will happen with the deficit $$42 billion this year, $179 the year after. What you’re going to do to attack that structural position of the budget?

Chalmers:

First of all the Budget position cumulatively is $207 billion stronger than when we came to office and that shouldn’t be lightly dismissed that. Is actually the biggest positive turn around in any budget in a single parliamentary term ever in nominal terms. That’s the first point, very, very important point, often neglected. Secondly, this year’s deficit is almost as half as big as what it was when we came to office. Thirdly, when you look at the overall positions, the bottom lines in this budget, it is stronger that what it was only a few months ago in the midyear budget. So we are chipping away. We are also making structural difference in NDIS and aged costs

Q: Yes, on that particular measure, on NDIS, it has been a huge pressure on the budget, can you confirm it will be hit its reduced target for growth of 8% next year?

Chalmers:

We’re on track for that for sure. We are seeing very encouraging progress. The thing we’re encouraged by is we’ve been able to get the cost of the NDIS to a more sustainable growth rate – still growing, but more sustainably, while we still meet our responsibilities to people who need and deserve of the scheme.