Foyle,

I will have a look at New Economic Perspectives.

While I agree with some of your sentiment, especially for govt to do much more on housing, I am not sure the Govt it was good enough in regard to the HIP or BER, although i am sure these projects were reasonable ideas that could have been done much better.

My article was not against the HIP, more about the haste of the program which was driven by the Rudd Govt.

....To win this particular race it's far easier when you've
got big media, big business and big money, lined up
supporting you. Then it becomes rather hard for the
other side to get any message out. And its the media
that influences polls and public opinion.

Yes, I guess it's a bit like the tons of dollars the union threw at their anti work choices war. Hurts doesn't it!

Then this...good economic times, especially from 1996 to 2007 when
the Howard government enjoyed the dividends of the
Hawke-Keating economic

Yeh, like the 90 billion of labor debt.

..... I guess that
was a massive indictment of the Asutralian people and
their judgement of character.

No, you mean the ones who supported this incompetent mob all the way to the mess we are in. Thanks heaps!

Well at least the libs won't be able to waste as much money as this incompetent mob, CAUSE THERE AINT NONE LEFT TO WASTE! Thanks again!

Chris Lewis, this has been labor's problem all along, as to them, the passing of legislation is an achievement however, it's simply an approval. And implementation has been their weakness, time and time again.

Good rid dens I say.

Lexi said;
So the International Monetary Fund, the Reserve Bank,
and world economic experts have it all wrong and that
our economy is in good nick and we've been given
a triple A rating, and that we're the envy
of other countries around the world, is something that
we need to ignore.
unquote
In a word yes !
They really do not have a clue and surprise surprise many economics
experts have commented that neither austerity or money printing is working.
None of the run of the mill political and economic experts are ready
yet to look at what is happening. That includes the Liberals & Nats.
All they seem to be able to say is that the current malaise will
continue for many years. I believe some of them are aware but it is
an unpopular thing to say as it cannot be so as no one can see how to deal with it.

World wide debt as ballooned out so much that it cannot be repaid at
anywhere near current growth & contraction rates.

rehctub,

yes, the implementation of public-funded programs by govt is an important criteria of a successful govt.

My opinion of Labor, in regard to HIP, was that it was a disgrace, so much so i could not vote for them in 2010

Dear Bazz,

I will repeat what I've stated on other threads and
what was on the link I proveded earlier, and I quote:

"The Australian economy has grown by 9 per cent since
the onset of the GFC. Our unemployment rate was only
5.5 per cent last year and is not expected to rise
above 6 per cent. Yes we're running a deficit - but it is
a tiny one - $18 billion in underlying cash terms - our
deficit is only 1.1 per cent of our gross domestic product.
By the time the budget returns to surplus sometime in the
next few years Australians will have a government debt of only
11 per cent of GDP. A negligible figure by any sensible
judgement."

"Anyway you look at it ordinary Australians are doing okay
under this government. Nearly a million jobs have been created.
Inequality has steadied, perhaps even fallen. Standards of
living have kept rising. Interest rates are at record lows."

The fact that some people can't see this is a massive
indictment of those people's judgement. We do know that Mr
Abbott will establish a "Commission of Audit," he told us
that last night. This is a well-worn Liberal tactic used by
Premiers Newman, Baillieu, and O'Farrell to avoid disclosing
their real plans prior to an election and keeping secret the
massive jobs, education and health cuts headed our way.

As I've stated previously, Australians deserve a little more
respect from the man who wants to lead the nation. The
upcoming election will be held against a back-drop of a fast-
changing world. The central challenge for political leaders
and aspirants is to ensure Australia's continued economic
resilience in this time of change. Mr Abbott has done nothing
to establish his and his party's economic credentials.
He promises a great deal but doesn't tell us how he's going
to pay for any of it. The only way out of this magic pudding
is to make massive cuts. Which is what Howard did. Nothing new
there. Libs cut and save. Labor has to fix and spend.

Dear Individual,

I think that you've got me confused with
someone who cares what you think.

I've realised a long time ago that thinking
was not your strong suit.

Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge,
you just gargle.

Cheers.