On day one of the election campaign, John Howard proved how cynically the conservatives view the electorate.
Only time will tell if the proposed tax cuts have the desired effect, but hopefully the population is smart enough to see this for what it is ... a crude election bribe.
It's hard to see how tax cuts of this magnitude wouldn't put further pressure on interest rates as the economy nears its growth limits. It would be far more sensible to put those funds towards increasing spending on education, health and infrastructure, all areas that have been neglected by the present government.
There's something wrong when funding essential services is ignored in favour of providing extra cash to end up being spent on consumables. Of course, this is the Conservative way. Give the cash to the population whom, in their eyes, should be spending it on the services the government doesn't really want to provide, like, education, health and infrastructure.
Rudd is being sensible to date and not rushing to match the deal. With a large proportion of population indicating they'd like more spending directed at the neglected areas, Labor would be sensible to temper any tax giveaways in favour of targeted spending.
I'm getting nervous about this election. Rudd's been doing so well but Howard is such a wily old bird and I'd so loath to see him pull it off again. I just wish I didn't live in a safe Lib seat. But it's interesting to see how much less popular the incumbent is (Alby Schultz!) nowadays and how much Howard & Co are on the nose even amongst faming friends of ours.
The tax bribe is a monumental waste - the only justifiable thing to do is to raise the bottom threshold which would help everyone. To take it in the first place and not spend it on infrastructure or higher education costs or a whole host of other things is to my mind indefensible.
Mind you Rudd has been a bit disappointing to me over some of his acquiescences to Liberal plans - especially the Northern Territory 'invasion' and the wipe out of the CDEPs there. I know he has to get elected and not frighten the horses but.....
But for heavens sake, why doesn't any media type hammer Howard for his fuzzy stats on employment. 2 hours a fortnight does not make anyone 'fully employed' but it always seems to get forgotten.
Good to see you back Tony