Australia’s acting prime minister says Bruce Springsteen holds the answer to the country’s economic woes.

Wayne Swan said the country could learn a lot – and avoid pitfalls – by listening to his music.

He said the rock star’s music railing against inequality echoed his own public battle against Australian billionaire mining tycoons who oppose his tax reforms.

Mr Swan also said Springsteen’s songs should serve as a warning to Australians against following the US road toward widening economic inequality.