why do we so desperately need to be in surplus, page-4

steviek, a surplus is ideal, as is not having any debt. But there is zero reason to slash and burn at the expense of good economic management to obtain an immediate surplus.

The debt just needs to be managed until the budget is under control, and then a strategy for paying down the debt can be assessed. Keep in mind the government has no intention of ever being debt free.

Australia has never been debt free in over 100 years.

And Australia has had around 77 deficits out of 100 over a 100 year period.