There was a great article about a year ago about how Australia didn't suffer so much during the GFC because the then Labor govt. gave most people $700 "handouts" and asked them to spend it. The radical idea was that people spending money boosts the economy. They also introduced a Carbon Tax, which resulted in most individual wage earners paying less tax out of their wages. Again, more people with more money to spend.
Unfortunately, the Labor govt went on to have not one but two internal power struggles, and everyone got sick of not knowing who would stab who in the back next. (Also some voters genuinely are afraid of boats, and believe that what is good for big business is good for the rest of us.)
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Date: 2014-01-26 05:23 pm (UTC)Unfortunately, the Labor govt went on to have not one but two internal power struggles, and everyone got sick of not knowing who would stab who in the back next. (Also some voters genuinely are afraid of boats, and believe that what is good for big business is good for the rest of us.)