budget deficit, page-24

Jim,I don't agree with your comments "Why the need for a deficit this early in the downturn??

Unemployment is still at a very low ~5%."

My response is: Why wait until the downturn hits the economy by which time the damage has already been done. IMHO the current Labor Government has learnt the lesson from the Keating/Hawke era when the RBA (with Keating cheering from the sidelines)kept interest rates too high for too long. All the signs are pointing to a downturn so why wait before corrective action is taken.

IMHO Turnbull is not acting responsibly in these dangerous economic times and Bishop needs to be replaced as Treasury opposition spokeperson ASAP (she has been tainted with plagiarism allegations and is out of her depth in this portfolio). On the other side Tanner should replace Swan ASAP. He is more articulate and can think on his feet.