Opinion

Old pastime of redistribution, regulation, reckless spending returns

If you’re wondering why this election campaign does not have a clear frontrunner, the lack of convincing economic policies may be the reason.

Tom SwitzerContributor

Mar 31, 2025 – 11.38am

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The nation goes to the polls on May 3, and everything continues to point to a hung parliament. That’s too bad because the status quo is an unsatisfactory state of affairs.

Our regulated housing sector continues to price people out of the property market. Both parties have delivered higher energy prices. Government spending as a percentage of GDP continues to rise, as do the budget deficit and national debt. Australians are experiencing the longest decline in real household incomes on record.

Tom Switzer is executive director at the Centre for Independent Studies and is an outgoing presenter on ABC Radio National.