Are state and federal budget deficits inevitable, and does that matter? Can, or should, we pull back into surplus, and who should bear the cost?

Yes, they are.

In simple terms Australia is living beyond it's means.



While we overspend on non-productives such as:-
* paid parental leave
* supporting those that choose not to work
* obscene wages/benefits for upper echelon public servants
* obscene wages/benefits for corporate executives (driving cost of services/goods up)
we simply won't be able to drag ourselves out of the defect hole.

Neither of the major parties have policies to address these issues. If anything, their polices will make matters worse.

Yes, it does matter.
After all government commitments to the value of the deficit can only
be met by borrowing the difference between income and spending.
Is it suggested that can go on forever ?
Is it suggested that the loans be made to disappear by transmitting
pixel money to all in sundry ?

Maybe that is the solution, cheat the creditors by inflating the debt away.
Then again Australia was one of the G20 countries that agreed to the
scheme that was applied for the first time in Cyprus.
Just take the deposits in the banks and give them to the creditors.
Very simple way to fix the problem of deficits.

It matters, always.
And far more in other parts of the world.
Who face far bigger troubles.
Wise men know staying within a budget can be a help, if or is it when, another GFC opens up under us.

Neither of the major parties have policies to address these issues. If anything, their polices will make matters worse
Lmcsp,
Most people are aware that Australia is living way beyond its means but the bulk of those who use up most of OUR resources are safely tucked away in the public service. Thank you Labor & thank you all other parties who did nothing to object or reject the last pay rises.
I hope Clive Palmer will address this somewhat before the election. His party is literally Australia's only hope.

ask the 75% youth unemloyed in Greece if it matters. The Labour/Greens are doing their best to display the same economic competence as the Greeks.

I just heard on tonight's news that Peter Slipper might be joining Clive Palmer's party. If that's the case all my support will go out the window. I suppose I'll have to go back to the lesser of the two evils.
It's just one downer after another in this country. What the hell is wrong with people here ?