Well said David!
If only someone as patently pragmatic were running the country, everybody's lives and circumstances could be improved.

Yes the government needs to rein in its spending, and all of the excesses, easily replaced by thirty year self terminating bonds.

Which would be sold for and limited to, the construction of income earning infrastructure; as many as you can find! i.e., a Darling Downs range crossing.

You'd think a Tunnel that eased all the congestion and ironed out the grade to one that could still be taken at 100 Klms, rather than 2, would be worth a 10 buck toll for truck, given what they'd save; and given the sheer volume of traffic, pay for itself in around two terms of Parliament?
Thereby dramatically improving the overall economy/economic activity in the process!

To then go on and fund the bond servicing required for myriad similar projects. And for the life of the tunnel!

There are I dare say, hundreds of similar income earning projects the length ad breadth of the land; all of which would boost the economy, and assist regional development.

You know, the place where all the resources are that currently are virtually all there is supporting our economy, are coming from!

And wouldn't some data retention with regard to all those possible self funding projects be worth a lot more to the country; than George Brandis's proposed electronic inquisition!?

The problem with ideologues is, once they get a hold of an idea, they are worse than a junk yard dog with a bone, which they grip the death grip of a Scotsman gripping a fifty dollar bill.

If additional intell is required, why not collect it by the traditional means? i.e., human operatives gradually working their way into positions of trust?

And the government already has, as you say, plenty of ways of legally collecting all the data it wants from persons of interest!
Rhrosty.

The views of Bald Gonad are a fruitless attempt to keep in touch with reality - a vain attempt to be relevant.

Will the Gonad be thrown out of office like Abbott?

Trust Gonad or the experts at ASIO?