| This
is this Government's fifth Budget since it came into office in May
1997. The Government's central economic objective is to raise the
economy's sustainable rate of growth, and achieve rising prosperity,
through creating economic and employment opportunities for all.
The Government
is delivering a platform of stability and steady growth for the
long term, with record levels of employment, low inflation, low
interest rates and sound public finances.
A prudent and
responsible approach to the public finances has seen the Government
reduce borrowing, while releasing substantial resources for key
public services. It is determined to avoid a return to the cycle
of boom and bust that has characterised the economy in recent decades.
Locking in economic
stability provides the opportunity for the Government to build on
its goals of achieving higher productivity, creating employment
opportunity for all, building a fairer society for families and
communities, and protecting the environment.
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