Spending in this budget will certainly be targeted – at re-election
The budget is supposed to be about the long-term future. It’s really about the government’s short-term future. Labor will back it – and add spending of its own.
Liberal ministers are lining up to intone about the importance of this budget to Australia’s future. But more than most, this budget is about the current election prospects of a Coalition government facing the popular verdict within weeks.
That means almost every “targeted and proportionate” measure to be announced will be primarily targeted and proportionate to the immediate impact in marginal seats.
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Jennifer Hewett is the national affairs columnist. She writes a daily column on politics, business and the economy. Connect with Jennifer on Twitter. Email Jennifer at jennifer.hewett@afr.com
