Dave R, You state that there is no fiscal emergency.
As I understand things, Australia has been and is presently spending more than it earns. If this is true and the problem not quickly rectified, then the only way ahead is obviously to continue borrowing money until such time that we as a country can no longer afford to pay the interest bill.
This then begs the question....In the event of another Global Financial melt-down, what do you suggest that we do ???... The cupboard is bare and will remain bare until such time we all tighten our belts. Think about it !!!
Also,this business about the rich versus the poor ...it's perhaps a good idea to remember that the so-called rich are responsible for the creation of most of the jobs in private enterprise and they and their businesses pay big taxes in contrast to the average worker who in most cases pays much less or no tax at all.
Every country has tax avoidance schemes, that's what accountants get paid for...without such things, businesses would move to other countries the result of which would devastate our economy in so many ways.
In an ideal world there are many ways for a Government to be popular...sadly , this is not an ideal world.
