Thursday 15 May 2014

A budget of spin, ideology and lacking vision.

Tuesday night's Federal budget reinforced the views of many Australians, of all political leanings, of the lack of leadership, integrity and vision to be found among our elected leaders. While the views expressed from many quarters in both the Government and opposition may be sincerly held, it is clear that vision and compassion are not at the top of this budget. The tampering with Medicare is short sighted and deceitful, likewise the $80 billion cuts to education and health leave the responsible and caring citizen dismayed. Further  the cuts to overseas aid, assisting some of the most disadvantaged people on the planet , the unemployed and those with a disability at home leave us all diminished . Why appoint a committee of audit  that does not include a cross section of expertise other than business?  There is little brave or affirming in cutting support programs to the most disadvantaged or placing a temporary tax on those able to afford it . As most economists noted prior to the budget, Australia's economy is not in crisis and while steps may need to be taken to priorities future spending attention also needs to be given to the GST and other forms of revenue raising. Australians do not support wasteful expenditure but are willing to pay more tax for the common good.

This budget is entirely political and driven by the influence of market economists and big business while deprived of the need for a vigorous community debate about the future shape of Australian society and our global responsibilities as being one of the richest countries in the world. It should be remembered that the discipline of economics does not profess a moral code nor address the common good.  Where will those who are denied a disability pension find work? Where will young people find work? How will reducing the minimum wage enable families to secure housing and to care for their children? With the reduction in the funding of schools and health services what quality of life can be guaranteed for future generations? How will this decision ensure that we invest in future generations?  At a time when property values are rising faster than incomes are there not  opportunities for new sources of income.?What  other tough choices should be considered in the future that enables the needs of an aging population to be met ?

The challenge for us all is now to find a way in our democracy to bring back intergrity and compassion as hallmarks of political debate and policy . Both a political and community campaign to lift our heights above the immediate and the idealogical to a commitment to the common good and what it means to be human in the world today. Surely this is more than economics and ideology ?