Just think of all the carry-on from our political leaders about ‘not having funds’ and then look at the growth in Australian government expenditure of 4 per cent per year (inflation adjusted) since Gough Whitlam was elected in 1972 till now, as put forward by Sydney’s Centre for Independent Studies (CIS).

932 Obscure ‘Bodies And Relationships’

The Weekend Australian reported that the federal government had at least 932 ‘bodies and governance relationships’ but that no survey of these had been done for two years. It seems some bodies continue to to exist but serve no apparent function. The Business Council of Australia(BCA) has challenged both major parties to eradicate waste.

Investigate The Scope Of Government

BCA’s Jennifer Westacott says we need a detailed study of the scope of government to ensure that the money for initiatives such as school funding increases and the national disability insurance scheme.

Campaign To Reduce Government From 35% To 30% Of GDP

CIS’s Target 30 Campaign was launched in Sydney a few days ago with keynote addresses by former Future Fund chairman David Murray and stock exchange and ABC chairman Maurice Newman.

CIS director Greg Lindsay says there is considerable evidence to suggest that 30 per cent of GDP is likely to be an upper limit to the efficient size of government. He also says:

Shrinking the size of government will also stimulate the charitabel sector, foster personal responsibility, and reforge the community ties that once bound out society together..

Voters now expect government to inoculate them even from poor choices and bad luck..

Governments have been intruding into areas of our lives that were never, and should never have been, the state’s responsibility.”

He suggests kneejerk clamouring for government solutions is making society ‘dysfunctional’.

Hmmm…turning around this ocean liner won’t be easy!

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