Imagine if the next government were to run a public competition for ideas on how to reduce government by 10 percent in one year? Perhaps the winner's prize could be a one-off share in the amount by which spending is reduced?

It seems everyone has a gripe with the dysfunctionality of government, so I imagine lots of constructive ideas would come out of the population.

For starters the ABC should be abolished. How can state-funded broadcast media be anything other than an instrument of biased statist propaganda, which is exactly what the ABC serves up, 24/7, ad nauseam.

Ten percent of the government wages bill is flex-time, because the gubbas usually get one day off a fortnight. Who else gets paid to stay at home and call it work? These bludgers should be first in line for a haircut for the good of the public they claim to be serving.

Next up, how about we amend the Trade Practices Act, to include banning misleading and deceptive conduct in politics or government, same as in trade or commerce? The people should have the right to sue any politician for damages for any misrepresentation or false and misleading statement, just the same as any other person is liable for false statements they benefit from at other people's expense.

We have seen in OLO over and over again that, when put to it, the climate alarmists are completely unable to provide any rational defence of their belief system in favour of government intervention. That portfolio should be abolished and tax reduced accordingly.

Okay, let's pretend you get one percent of all the money saved by your suggestions: how do you think we should reduce the size of government by 10 percent in one year?

I have some concerns about the whole deck of cards/facts?
It is not true! that we pay for flexy time!
And pointless trying to convince/tell the truth to some.
FLEXABLE HOURS still need those hours to be worked.
Trust me I was and in my heart remain, a union official.
Next, before the Butcher comes!
Enterprise bargaining see,s both boss and unions sit to agree on INCREASED productivity or key performance indicators, in return for wage increases.
Boss brings the KPI,s Union the wages claim.
Construction, and most industrys got a RDO Rostered Day Off every month.
IF via a bosses wants or unions, that has changed, EXTRA TIME is worked.
In return for a second long weekend, BUT THE TIME IS WORKED
Your thread, in my view needs first to look at what trade offs can be used to increase and improve public service out comes, then reduce by natural attrition numbers.
Cutting the head of a dieing tree still kills it but good planning/out comes can see it thrive, a new accountable public service must be looked for.

I think it is completely wrong to set as a goal to reduce government by any amount. It is more reasonable to ask two questions.

1. What is government not doing that should be done?

2. What is government doing that should not be done by government or simply should not be done?

We all have different answers to those questions. However, the answer to the first question increases the size of government. The answer to the second decreases the size of government. If both questions are answered well government may either increase or decrease depending on the answers.

I disagree with JKJ. The part of government that deals with climate change, public education and supports the ABC is important to keep. The part of government that supports chaplains in schools, subsidising non-public schools, supports sports, Olympics and the like other than sports in schools, subsidises logging and other environmentally destructive activities and supports the arms trade by AIDEX should all be abolished

Who said Thatcher was dead, she has been reincarnated in Oz and is now posting on this forum as JKJ. J, as an arch conservative you are so predictable with tiresome comment like "For starters the ABC should be abolished." then this little chestnut "Ten percent of the government wages bill is flex-time", you either know that statement is a lie, or more likely you speak from a point of ignorance.
Belly, here I go agreeing with you once more, starting to become a habit.
"Enterprise bargaining see,s both boss and unions sit to agree on INCREASED productivity or key performance indicators, in return for wage increases." wages and conditions, correct my friend. The true agenda of the JKJ's of this world is, because of their ideological slant, the long term destruction of hard won wages and conditions. Believing such is going into the hands of "the undeserving" resulting in a reduction in profits. In the case of public servants they are seen in their minds eye as a lazy bunch of loafers costing business and themselves through taxation, again impacting on the bottom line. So predictable.

Ok folks, let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Leaving aside the obvious ideological biases evident in Jardine K. Jardine's opening post, there is one concept that deserves our full attention:

>>...how about we amend the Trade Practices Act, to include banning misleading and deceptive conduct in politics or government, same as in trade or commerce? The people should have the right to sue any politician for damages for any misrepresentation or false and misleading statement, just the same as any other person is liable for false statements they benefit from at other people's expense.<<

The very first step in the battle we face in controlling our political class, is to hold them specifically accountable for their actions. Make them respect the promises they made in their election manifesto, instead of regarding them as mere advertising puffery. Until and unless we can achieve this, we remain powerless in the face of the party factions, the behind-closed-doors wheeling-and-dealing that perverts the process, and that makes a mockery of our right to vote.

Direct accountability. That should be the people's mantra.

We deserve better. But we won't get better if we continue to allow our politicians to flout the promises they made when canvassing our support.

Come on Jardine, stop mucking about.

Yes the ABC must go, but 10% of the bureaucrats, surely you can do better than that. If half of them didn't turn up for a year or so, & their in boxes were removed, not only would no one but the coffee shop notice, the work would get done quicker, with less yobs to delay things.

Julia has even started with a sensible cut of $1.5Bn to academia Now instead of wasting it on schools, where it will do nothing, apply it to defence,give the navy some ammunition & we should be able to stop the boats, & really start to save.