Now let’s compare those budget outcomes in 2022 with Jim Chalmers’ two years later. Following last Tuesday’s Budget outcomes, Australia has joined Denmark as one of only two economies to have gained consecutive surpluses, reduced debt to GDP twice and kept average wealth per person above USD$350,000 (AU$520,000). So, if the AFR approved the 2022 Budget, what superlatives would they lavish on the Albanese Government and these world-beating numbers? Why are disastrous budget outcomes, as in 2022, warmly applauded while world-best outcomes, as now, are “slammed” as “irresponsible” and “failing” and “dangerous”? Singapore’s Straits Times also noted admiringly that ‘Australia sees second straight budget surplus, inflation easing sharply’.

Source: The Guardian May 20, 2024 10:03 UTC