As to the author's main area issue of cutting spending, there is nothing wrong with cuts to government if they are well directed. This does not have to be a Left/Right issue.

Cuts in areas of health and community service usually end up in other costs to community. The pressure on charities at the moment is greater than ever before due to the growing disparity in wages.

Unfortunately many of the cuts fully impact on people while middle class and corporate welfare continue to further place pressure on spending. It is incongruous the money spent on culture, arts and sport that could easily be funded by the private sector or by funds and scholarships already in action in those sectors through private organisations and individuals.

While art, culture and sport are important facets of society it does not hold that governments have to be wholly responsible.

It is these sorts of scenarios such as in the link below touting much higher salaries for senior public servants that are part of the problem. Senior public servants continue to reap bonuses just for doing their job, the KPIs are usually kept secret and bonuses paid for no obvious reason, in some cases paid when the manager concerned has created chaos and a reduction in services. It is becoming a standard joke in the Commonwealth APS.

http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn2851.html

The APSC reports that SES pays have increased disproportionate to lower level APS roles. In fact in Enterprise Bargaining exercises there is a definitive them and us mentality while 'scr**' the little guy particularly in operational areas has become the modus operandi while SES continue to reap bonuses and increases in pay with impunity.