Bigger government? NO! More efficient and streamlined government? YES!

Too much government is a handbrake on the economy as are time wasting ditherers. And endless time wasting duplication!

Tax reduction? Yes and for every income earner above the threshold. And given it's an unavoidable impost, set at around 15% of all earnings or taxable income. And collected as money enters or leaves accounts.

Public education and health ought be provided via a means tested endowments. That then enables the parent/patient to pick and chose from eligible providers, depending on their criteria; and performance records etc.

This'll remove a virtual army of bureaucrats from the system along with their onerous fee demands and very generous salary entitlements? Former tax office staff could be tasked with allocating this means tested endowments and all other means tested income support?

If that then requires schools, hospitals and service providers to compete for the education and health dollar? That can only be a good thing and shift the emphasis on to outcomes rather than the provision of at times, very expensive services?

After that we need ultra reliable water. And for mine that has to be desalinated water!

We need ministers that understand basic economics and have a grounding in science. It's of little use if we demand as much from virtually everyone else and leave the incompetent muddlers (please explain) in charge of the nation's finances and associated development!

If we really want this economy to flourish we need two things. Really affordable, reliable carbon free energy. And that's never going to be solar voltaic or wind farms or (sorry guys) coal. Not even those supported by big batteries, good for just one hour!

After that, the aforementioned reliable and affordable water!
Alan B.

One of the major problems with the west is the continually expanding number of bureaucrats. It matters not if they are pen pushers, academics, quango members or employees, or train or bus drivers, they all end up with the belief that money comes from government, & there is no end to what is available for them, or to spend.

You would think that by now with the examples of Grease, Spain & Ireland to see, they might have realised the fallacy of this belief, but the ratbag socialists, bordering communists just won't look. They come up with the same story continually. What is "equality of outcome", but "to each according to his needs", using different words.

The only moral equality we should ever strive for is equality of opportunity. Given this, the rest should be up to the individual. That one becomes a university professor, slaving away for 8 hours a week for a fat salary & a similar pension, & one becomes a check out chick, working 5 times as long for a third the salary is up to them. How well they live should not be a problem for the tax payer.

Obviously some professors are nice people, actually ashamed at how much they rip out of the public purse for so little contribution, hence wanting to give some of someone else's money to that check out chick, to make themselves feel less bad.

Well sorry buddy, if you are feeling bad, give them some of yours, you are already ripping enough out of my pocket, to pay you so well. Just remember it is me paying your salary, & I don't pay you to tell me right from wrong. I can't see you have much grasp on reality, let alone right from wrong

When the richest own as much wealth as 70% of Australians, you know something is clearly wrong, amplified by greed is good/its handmaiden, individualism!

This nation was built by sacrifice, teams, cooperation and endeavour.

While entrepreneurship is to be praised, same can't be said for those who pray on the talents/endeavour of others!

I've lots of respect for self made men, particularly those born in a log cabin hewn from the wilderness with their own bare hands! Like say, multi millionaires Clive Palmer/Gina Reinhart?

There's a lot to be said for sharing wealth created by others, their hands and brains! Or those who actually create it!

And never the ungrateful ever expectant whip crackers who steal their wages or super! Or expect a full days work for half a day's pay!

I earned my first day's pay aged just nine and at the rate for men, given the boss said I'd done a man's share!

Others would say a bob a job! And we can get a boy scout to do it! Boy scouts, typically working for nothing for themselves and their earned income already earmarked for charity.

Which is what some self indulgent, would work in an iron lung, rouge employers expect.

Me? I'd hop in and set the pace! And the earned respect of my employees. All of who were paid at least 15% above the award! And not a single unionist among them.

Couldn't do it today, given the cost of energy and everything that flows from it, which is everything, except the air we breathe!

Folk like the aforementioned who've had their wealth created for them by the hands and endeavour of others, would likely be even wealthier in real terms.

If they shared more of it with those who created it! Hoarding it and then resenting having to pay a reasonable fair share of a common burden is for the nation's parasitic class!

Hasbeen can take his with him! Even if we have to dig him up to place in an appropriate, fundamental orifice!
Alan B.

Oh yes, buy that book to make Stephen Bell and Michael Keating $59.99 richer, yourself $59.99 poorer!