Not since the June quarter of 1930, during the last Great Depression when it had been estimated Australia's GDP fell by 9.5% has the economy been delt such a shattering blow as it was in the June quarter 2020, a decline in GDP of 7.0%. Since official records began in 1959 the biggest decline was 2% in 1974. So far the government has been successful in masking much of the economic woes with generous cash payments to workers and business, all with borrowed money. With real unemployment pushing 15% and at the same time much of the generous government economic support about to be curtailed, what is the economic future for Australians. The national debt could reach one trillion dollars in a few short years, unemployment at 20% plus, with one in five businesses failing.

With such a gloomy economic outlook Australians are looking to the Federal Government for a road map to recovery. Some months back Morrison was touting his snap back idea, whereby the economy would recover quickly, that is clearly not the case. Surprisingly, and with few other options, the conservatives have over the past six months embraced a high degree of socialism with their interventionist policies. Now Australia is approaching the economic and social crossroad, and with a choice will the conservatives return to their economic mantra of allowing the free market to determine if and when the economy should recover, or will the government be forced to intervene even more to stave off much of the pain that a failed economy creates.

Are Public Servants affected by this depression ?

Paul 1405 is reduced to regurgitating stuff we all know. We hear about this stuff every day in the media.

individual,

Yours is a rhetorical question, of course: the politicians and public servants are not affected. Both have made gains, while the private sector - the group that pays for them - have gone backwards.

ttbn,
Exactly & it explains it all !

It's been a while since Australians faced an immediate
threat. They've experienced years of prosperity and
have no greater desire than for that prosperity to
continue. We live in an age where many people have a
desire for optimism and a positive outlook on the
world. People want to believe they live in the best of
all possible worlds even if terrible events occur all
around them. They don't like a world divided into
winners and losers.

Therefore the current government has to be careful with
the approach that it's going to take. The leader's role
here is twofold. Firstly to provide safety and security
for the members of the country they lead. Secondly to
do so in a positive and optimistic fashion that re-
assures the people that nothing will interfere with the
pursuit of the pleasures of an affluent society.

We don't live in an age that favours Churchillian rhetoric.
It won't resonate. Churchill's rhetoric emphasising
struggle, crisis and emergency is not going to go down
well. In 21st century democratic Australia the general
population does not want to be constantly reminded of
negativity. Scott Morrison needs to read the signs of the
times. People need hope - not doom and gloom.

Don't worry, I certain Soot Morrison and Josh Frydenberg are working on a plan to hand down a surplus budget that will blow your minds away.