The Economy

What do you see as the major problems with the economy?

Well, obviously the down turn in the mining industry and the high Australian dollar have been major problems… We hoped that housing construction would take up the slack….

So are we too dependent on mining and agricultural exports?

We are very good at building houses….

But who is going to live in these houses?

Hairdressers and baristas are doing well….

What about our manufacturing industry?

I have great respect for our manufacturing industry… Pental, Jimmy Possum, Spring Gully…

Who?
Well, Holden, Toyota, WD & HR Wills...
Ah ha...

Black Holes

The others say your budgeting is full of black holes.

Who do they think they are? Brian Cox?

We are talking about budgeting, not astronomy!

There are no black holes in our budgeting!

The others say it is full of assumptions about future income streams.

Our figures have been evaluated by Treasury economists and they confirm there are no black holes.

You mean by the people who foresaw the GFC?

I didn’t say Treasury astrologists!

So they foresaw the GFC?

The Treasury has economists, not astrologists!

And they don’t see black holes?

No.

Part IV - Taxation Policy

So will you increase the GST?

I categorically deny we will increase the GST!

So how will you pay for your promises?

We will not increase the GST!

Where will the money come from?

By cutting the flab, reducing waste and being more efficient than them.

Isn't that what all previous governments have promised?

Yes, and we will always be more effective in reducing waste than they will be…

Does that mean you won’t increase taxes?

We are fiscally responsible and we will only spend what we can afford.

So, no tax increases?

Our policy is not to increase taxation but rather to cut flab and where appropriate, redistribute wealth….

Huh?

Vote Fiscal Responsibility

We are the more fiscally responsible party!

So you have costed all your proposals?

Oh yes, we have had high level Treasury appraisals.

The others say that too!

Oh, but they are liars. We tell the truth!

How do we know that?

Because we are honest people!

Evidence?

Are you calling me a liar?

No, I just want some evidence to support your assertion.

The evidence is that we are the more fiscally responsible party!