BUDGET ZOMBIES BACK TO THE GRAVE

It’s only February, but the government is already signalling what measures will be in — and out — of the May budget. The Australian reports a $13 billion hole has been blown in the budget — not due to government spending, but because Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison will write off budget cuts that have been blocked in the Senate for years, called “zombie measures” by Labor. Despite the hold up (and unlikelihood of movement), the government has been counting the savings as passed when it comes to the bottom line — giving a rosier picture than the reality.