579,

You say we are in a good position. If that is true, why has the housing market produced yet another drop in prices? This has always been one of the indicators of a healthy economy, yet with such low interest rates available now, there is still a continuuing fall in house prices. What should we conclude from this?

Our unemployment rate is steady you say. Are you reading accurate figures on this, or the fudged ones? Can you give us the latest unemployment figures for our youth in the 15 -25 years old age brackets?

Do you remember when people were affluent enough to take early retirement and become self-funded retirees? They still contributed to our economy with their investments.

If we are still doing so well, why has the retirement age now been increased again?

As for the carbon tax, I for one have noticed an increased demand on my disposable income since it was introduced, and would assume I am not alone. You're right, my income hasn't increased. As you pointed out - it is steady, so why do I see proof in my bank statements that I am spending more? It isn't my lifestyle which has changed, just my bank balance is now lower. Again, why do you think this is the case?

I am not a dyed in the wool liberal, but in fairness to both political sides have assessed the inescapable fact that I am now worse off financially than I was when Libs were in office.

Even you cannot deny that our surplus has turned into an enormous deficit. Again, if all is well, why did our surplus change into this deficit? Could it possibly be irreresponsible spending by the government you so vigorously defend?

I accept you feel loyalty to the present government, but before you hurl invective, give some rational reasons for your loyalty.

I am willing to listen to any serious rational answers you put forward to my questions, but will accept only logic.

A drop in prices, is good for housing market.
Unemployment is steady without proviso’s
Days of early retirement are over, there is just to many elder folk out there.
The retirement age will increase as numbers of elder people increase.
Where is the link of carbon tax and increases of goods and services.
Your bank account figures is a matter for you to stabilise
You are one eyed, much of the world is in depression, we have not been totally insulated.
A deficit can- not be assured until mid year.
My elegance is for policy, not negativity and disgraceful tea party tactics.
You are not prepared to listen, and will not accept logic.

Worldwatcher, I did not see your 11:09 post before I replied.
I do not think anyone, except politicians, could view the import of
food to be other than madness.
However as energy becomes more expensive the imported food will become
less competitive with local production.

A lot of the worries we now have about the export of jobs and the
import of finished products will reduce.
At present "western" countries have cut back their consumption of oil
in its various forms and this has allowed China & India to continue
their growth cycles, although it seems that China's GDP has fallen to
about 5%. The official rate is higher but the data is said to be managed.
At present developing countries can afford to pay more for energy
than the "west", but there is a limit to how much we can cut back
without severe damage to our economies. This cutback is also holding
down oil prices which is making the shale operations in the US marginal.

Together with our oil production falling at about 4% to 6% a year
and the closing of our refineries, except West Aus, we will be in a
rather precarious position if China and India keep increasing their demand.
If the market tightens up, we may have no supply here in the eastern
states at all. At least when our refineries were operating we had our
own 40% production.
We will be bidding against the big boys, think they will consider us ?

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that the Libs do not really want to win the next election . They do not want to inherit the mess that we are currently in. That is why they stick to Abbot. Turnbull with his business experience could turn this country around but maybe there are too many "ME's 1st" in the Liberal ranks that cannot put their country first. For holiday reading - get yourself a copy of "Silent Lies" by J.M.Iggulden. Lays out a radical agenda to get us back on track. Jack must be wringiong his hands in despair at our lack of economic expertise in Govt to-day

SomonaTas said;
J.M.Iggulden. Lays out a radical agenda to get us back on track.

Does he intend to get us back on the old track ?
Is he not aware that there is a new normal, that the old track has
petered out ?
Our economy from here on will be quite different.
It will not have credit available, and there will be no growth to repay
loans and interest.
Everything is changing right before your eyes. We are now five years
into the change and the pollies don't want to know.
I am not sure that business acumen is the most needed asset that the
next PM needs. I think what needs to be done is very obvious but it
will need political skills and an understanding of how to get the
message out to the public.
The message that I see needs to be pushed is;

Everything has changed !
YOU DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY !

We have 1.5 trillion / year. I don't see that going anywhere. Back on the old track, sounds like he has been talking to Abbott. The golden years. The past has gone, we have to live in the future.
What money gets spent on is a matter of prioritizing.
We still have growth between 2 & 2.5% That is probably quite good in the current world environment.
Julia wants to upgrade education, so the appropriate funding has to be made room for in the budget.
People with disability need an insurance, they are part of au as well.
Both these items are co-funded by the states.
I don't see borrowing or funding collapsing any time soon.