Chalmers confronts Australia’s budget dilemma

Jim Chalmers’ sombre warning of global uncertainty and decelerating growth in several other countries is a convenient backdrop to the promise of greater budget spending to stimulate economic growth in Australia.

Such talk about the challenges coming from offshore provides a useful deflection from domestic problems – including deflecting criticism that money for the government’s “Future Made in Australia” ambitions risks long-term subsidies for industries that don’t have a viable future.