The solution is both in spending and revenue, that is clear. The...

The solution is both in spending and revenue, that is clear. The reality is that political will is need to get rid of negative gearing. It need not impact existing negative gearing but don't make it available on new property transactions. Hit the international companies that don't pay a fair share of tax for profit made in Australia. Means testing some benefits can help. Dont come up with silly schemes to increase welfare to those that don't need it like Abbotts now dumped PPL.

On the revenue side the government might consider raising the medicare levy instead of the hare brained co-payment that was not going to help the budget bottom line and certainly not good for the health of the nation.

The Government is playing typical politics. Their main concern is keeping their own jobs. Thats why there has been one backflip after another. Today there was another one with the government embarrassingly having to back down on the degree of defence force pay. Just as well they backed down particularly at a time when our defence services will be facing the dangers of an increased capacity in Iraq. The fact that they are backing down left right and centre is a sign of both a poor and weak government.

I still believe a team uniting behind Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and Scott Morrison would be able to save some face for the Government and give them the clear air to do what needs to be done in Australia's best interests. However time is running out fast.