Treasurer Wayne Swan says the federal opposition would prefer to see Australia fail than the Rudd government succeed in moves to counter the global financial crisis.

The coalition has threatened to block budget bills that include a third round of stimulus measures it judges to be wasteful.

“They are just completely irresponsible and reckless,” Mr Swan told ABC Radio on Monday, adding the opposition did not have any positive solutions.

“I think they would rather see the country fail than see the Rudd government succeed.”

Mr Swan refused to comment on what the Rudd government’s second budget, to be unveiled on May 12, might contain.

The government was constantly evaluating how the global financial crisis was hitting the Australian economy, he said.

AAP