CHESTER BETS SWAN $1000 HE CAN’T DELIVER SURPLUS
October 6, 2011
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is still waiting on a response from the Treasurer Wayne Swan after issuing a $1000 challenge for charity, over the outcome of the 2012/13 Budget.
In the last Parliamentary sitting, Mr Chester said he would bet $1000 that the Treasurer could not deliver a surplus in the next Federal Budget. But Mr Swan has failed to accept the wager, despite the proceeds going to charity.
Mr Chester said the Treasurer had presided over four budget deficits and he did not believe he could return the budget to surplus next year.
“This Treasurer has presided over four budget deficits. Like the rest of Australia, I simply do not believe this Treasurer will be able to deliver a surplus,” Mr Chester told Parliament.
“I am prepared to put my money where my mouth is. I am prepared to bet the Treasurer that he will not deliver a surplus at that time. I am not much of a gambler but I am prepared to take a wager.
“If the Treasurer will take me up on my bet I am prepared to donate $1000 to his favourite charity if he delivers a surplus in 2012/13 – only if he is prepared to deliver $1000 to my favourite charity if he does not get that surplus.
“That is the wager I put to the Treasurer, and I welcome him to take me up on that.”
Mr Chester said if the Treasurer took him up on the challenge he would nominate local surf life saving clubs as recipients of the $1000.
“The surf lifesaving clubs in my community would love to receive $1000, and I reckon it is a pretty safe bet. So I would encourage the Treasurer to take me on,” Mr Chester said.
Mr Chester said he hopes to hear from the Treasurer when Federal Parliament resumes on October 11, 2011.
