I too used to believe that Labor got the country into debt and that the Liberals/Nationals got us out of it. John Lord has published a piece about how well the Coalition manages money. https://theaimn.com/john-lords-election-diary-no-10-no-policies-so-lets-talk-about-the-climate-and-money/

It will be interesting to see how a Shorten government, if there is to be one, will manage without the usual healthy surplus that has been left behind by Liberal governments in the past. Thanks to the Liberals’ attempts at socialism since Abbott was ousted, things will be tough for Shorten - tougher for many Australians as the taxes rise to pay for Big-Government Bill.

While the rest of the world is waking up to the socialist disaster, our backward politicians are moving alarmingly to the Left. No matter which party forms a government after this Saturday, Australia will be rooted, economically and socially.

Those of us who are thrifty and sceptical of all politicians will survive under either mob of incompetents. Pity about the rest of you.

Francesca

Why do we believe lies from politicians we know ply their trade with them?

It's called marketing. Along with media control, the two are a formidable pincer movement, aligned against our innate morality.
Thus the suprise as we discover the extent to which these lies motivated our judgement, in directions foreign to us.

A good example of this much polished process, is the success of gay marriage.

Whoever wins with a manageable majority will have a mandate for their policy paradigms.

That said if the Senate thinks it can or should blocking the flagged well in advance, intended reforms and as a consequence defund the budget? Shorten can and must make the obstructionists pay for that with a double dissolution.

And point an accusing finger at the obstructionist for that result. And a timely warning for those not yet voting, be sure to nominate progressives to the Senate, not those mindlessly/ideologically opposed to the winning party and their flagged policies!
Alan B.

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If Shorten wins, the only thing that can save Oz will be cross bench senators who have flagged their policy & have a similar mandate to Shorten, stopping the lefty stupidity when they can.

If people are voting for Labor because of it's policies, rather than because "it's time", or similar, nothing will matter much. Oz will be stuffed, & the collapse will not be far off.

If people vote for the current Morrison policies, Oz is still stuffed, it will just take a couple of years longer to happen without similar cross bench senators keeping him in line.