I couldn't agree with you more JC. Whilst this government has enjoyed a golden period of growth, one has to carefully look at where this has come from....yes some productivity gains, capital management but largely from the resource boom.
They lack a serious longterm agenda....where is the vision? They have raped the education system to the point where lower and middle income groups are questioning the value of getting into HEC debt and the uni's are surviving by selling full fee courses to overseas students and the rich locals that can afford it...the USA model. Health is a mess and they need to show leadership by bringing the State hospitals into a single national system...common control, standards, certification, HMO's, procurement and administration.
Howard's government is a great "manager" of the budget but this budget is locked into the past and can't work itself out of the 3 year election cycle. We need leadership and a 2020 plan. Interesting that countries like Malaysia nad Singapore have 20 year plans. Australia's 20 year plan consists of how much to spend on military and how to cover the super back hole.
Yes we are doing well but for how long and at what cost....get you act together and think past the next election.
