Bill Shorten has dared Tony Abbott to call an early election during last night’s budget reply speech.

The Opposition Leader said Labor will block key Government budget reforms.

Whitney Angell reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Last night Bill Shorten vowed to fight what he is calling a “budget of lies”.

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “Say what you like prime minister. Spin as hard as you can. Australians know a lie when they hear one.”

In a strongly worded speech, he foreshadowed Labor would oppose funding cuts to students and seniors, threatening more than $10-billion in budget savings proposed by the government.

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “Labor will vote against these cuts to university funding, these cuts to student support. We will fight for a fair pension, and we will prevail.”

Labor will also oppose the $7 Medicare co-contribution, arguing it threatens Medicare’s universal scope.

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “Labor will never, never give up on Medicare.”

The Government says their cuts are justified.

Tony Abbott, Prime Minister: “This is a nation that will henceforth live within its means.”

The Opposition Leader called Mr Abbott’s bluff. Telling him to bring on a double dissolution.

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “If you want an election, try us. If you think Labor is too weak, If you think Labor is too weak, bring it on.”

Whitney Angell, QUT News