Can the Victorian government get any worse?

[old man emu]

The problem for all our governments at the three levels is that things cost a lot of money and there is not a large enough population to create an economy that will generate the income needed. Left, Right or Centre, the story is the same for any government. The other problem is that out culture has become one that expects the government to provide all. I guess we haven't got over the concept of drawing from the Government Stores that began with the first meal after the First Fleeters stepped ashore.

[Jerry_Atrick]

The other thing to think about, is that if each successive government takes over an economy that is worse than when the previous government took over, unless there is massive real growth in the economy, there is an ever diminishing capability of the government to meet the demands of a progressively more complex society and balance the books/stimulate that real growth without people being prepared to pay more.

Quite remarkably, I read yesterday in the F, that in the UK, 53% of households are net recipients of government welfare disbursements. That is not sustainable in the long term. However, when you tell business to pay their people properly, they scream it will make them uncompetitive nationally and internationally, drive up prices, etrc. The reality it all has to be paid for eventually.

 

I was reading an article in  The Age today, that was a syndication of the UK Terrorgraph, singing the praises of Musk in DOGE (and referring to the didgy savings claimed by musk with no challenge). One thing that I did agree with what Musk was quoted as saying.. The west is in a downard spiral with no real exit until it goes broke.. The level of debt globally are astronimical (and you think Vic has problems).

 

There is one way to fix it, but it will be politically unpalatable because taxing those that have the means, will result in a campaign against the politicians, and they don't want to fight that one.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Takes balls, but this is what is needed: https://www.ft.com/content/39d4678d-a7e1-4fce-b8d8-eb799cfed3e6

 

[nomadpete]

Sorry but I couldn't see that.

 

Australia doesn't need 3 levels of government.  It costs extra to run  3 separate pyramids of power. Probably the most unreliable level, and easiest dispensed with, is local government  (councils).

[onetrack]

But where else could a ruthlessly ambitious person get their start in State or Federal politics, if it wasn't for the cut and thrust, backstabbing, ganging up, nepotism, and pettiness of local councils!?

 

Edited May 30 by onetrack

[Jerry_Atrick]

All levles are pretty bad...

 

With prok barelling, corruption and the like, it doesn't matter what level/s you get rid of.. All the carp will persist at whatever levels are left.