It’s unsurprising that Treasury would offer this kind of advice — it operates firmly within the neo-liberal economic model. Of course, taxes could be raised in many areas, not least from gas exporters who currently pay none.
Similarly, it’s obvious to many that the government’s housing targets are unachievable while house prices continue to rise, pushing affordability further out of reach. Without measures to curb prices, increasing supply alone will not solve the problem.
The neo-liberal call for spending cuts is nothing new. What’s labeled as “spending” is actually the cost of providing services we expect and rely on. If we cut spending, we simply lose services, to the detriment of society as a whole.
Treasury advice a no brainer
Jim Chalmers gets advice that he already knows
If we cut spending, we simply lose services, to the detriment of society as a whole.