Game of handouts won’t be enough to save the economy

All the spin in the world by Jim Chalmers cannot hide the fact his government has presided over the greatest fall in living standards during the past 50 years (“Dr Jim can’t hide behind selective numbers”, 26/11).

The socialist-leaning Labor government of big spending, big ideology-based ideas devoid of proper due diligence, and a glorification of the trade union movement – all with scant regard for the economy’s ability to pay for it all – has failed.

Just as intermittent renewable energy creates the stress of energy supply catch-up, the federal Treasurer is forced to play a game of handouts to help make up for the government’s energy and other blunders. But handouts only exacerbate the underlying inflation. Labor’s formula is broken and not fit for the times.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Unfortunately for many Australians, the Labor government we have today in Canberra is a very sad version of what Labor governments once used to be.

It has gone from the party of the battling working class to the party of the inner-suburban elitists. A large part of this, of course, has been to ward off an all-out attack on Labor by the Greens. In doing this, the Albanese government, like the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd governments before it, has lost middle Australia.

Peter D. Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

The appalling GDP figures detailed in your report reflect 15 years of ineffective government on both sides (“Home, drawn and quartered”, 26/11).

The tax system needs a complete overhaul. The overwhelming dependence on income and company taxes sucks the capital out of the economy into government coffers to fund non-productive public servants and over-regulation that stifles entrepreneurial spirit.

Peter Jacobsen, New Farm, Qld

Over the years it takes to save a deposit to get into the housing market, those valuable dollars earn interest, which is taxed. The government could help those saving for a deposit if the interest earned from their nest egg was exempt from tax.

A set-up similar to a mortgage offset account would be a great help to those struggling to save a deposit. It would be a positive step that all sides of politics would surely support. How about it, Prime Minister?

Leslie Young, Randwick, NSW

The figures on the front page of your paper speak for themselves in terms of Australia’s decline. Historically, with two exceptions, it has been proven that Labor cannot manage money.

The two exceptions were Bob Hawke and Paul Keating. Our only hope is for an early election.

Christopher Doogan, Malua Bay, NSW

Where has all the luck gone for the lucky country (“Households suffer as ALP gets its priorities wrong”, 26/11)?

Australia has bountiful energy resources. This, together with other natural resources such as iron ore and wool, has given us a relatively high standard of living over time and it attracts investment and migrants.

Now we find ourselves in a situation of risk about the availability of 24/7 electricity, stagnant productivity and as one of the worst performers in the OECD.

Our present trajectory has to change if we want to maintain our standard of living. The pending electricity supply risk (as well as affordability shocks) is due to energy policy being controlled by virtue signalling and illiteracy about the economics of energy.

Australia cannot save the world, even if it achieved net zero, but we can do ourselves irreversible harm by continuing the present folly. It is the average taxpayer who pays the penalty.

We want more hospitals, schools, infrastructure and lower taxes, not hectares of solar panels and wind turbines that work for only part of the time and that are unresponsive to real-time electricity demand. Wake up, Australia, before it is too late.

Charles Hemmings, Woy Woy, NSW

Housing, immigration, national security and education are all going down the gurgler.

Even Jim Chalmers’ mellifluous words cannot conceal the parlous state of the economy. The only solution Labor has to offer is to spend more of other people’s money to achieve a re-election.

Graham Pinn, Maroochydore, Qld