Chalmers misses chance to re-anchor the budget on Tuesday night
Whilst the government’s economic team has hardly put a foot wrong since May, the Treasurer has missed an opportunity to use his first Budget to reimpose discipline and sensible priorities.
The 2022-23 October federal budget – what Shakespeare might call a MYEFO by any other name – has been classed as a “bread and butter” exercise. It will reconcile the budget’s present position regarding parameters and funding to Labor’s election commitments. No big-picture reforms. No risk. Just deferment of tough choices until next May.
Perhaps that cautious approach is one of the lessons of recent events in the UK. But another is the need for fiscal and monetary policy to work effectively independently, but towards a common goal.
