Opinion AUSTRALIAN Politics: Adelaide Board Discussion Part 6

[George CantStandYa]

Bahahaha…

So.. you want to argue that its “wasteful government spending” that is to blame for inflation and thus possible increases in interest rates.
but you cant be bothered naming what that government spending is, how its wasteful and how much reducing it would effect the inflation rate!

You just want to come in here and parrot the bullshit you see and read on the pages of conservative sites like the AFR, skynews, newscorp etc and do so unquestioned and without having to back it up with anything of substance.

**** me.. and you call others “wally’s”!..

Is it too much to ask you to back your claims up with some substance?

So.. I will ask again.
Which government services, infrastructure builds and expenditures would you cut and how much would doing so reduce the inflation rate George?

No, I didn’t call others “Wallys” just you.

It’s an idiotic request unless you believe all government expenditure is on the money and the government has got it right, is that what you’re thinking?

Tell me what’s your economics background to dismiss economists who are stating this?

And 2 can play this idiotic game. You blamed consumers. Which areas and by how much have they overspent, how much do you want them to reduce by and what would be the impact on inflation for each of these areas you’ve identified. I’m sure this information you’ll be able to produce quite easily.

 

[Coopers]

Sarah Game - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Just reading that:

In August 2025, she launched a new political party titled "Sarah Game Fair Go for Australians" which was registered with the Electoral Commission of South Australia on 24 July 2025. On 5 December 2025, she was removed from the party for non-payment of membership dues.

She's been kicked out of her own party, the one that is named after her, for not paying her membership fee?

wut?

 

[Mutineer]

Snout in the trough, what a hypocrite, the same woman that has accused others of exactly what she does....Another "Do as I say, not as I do" from this dimwit.

Greens senator faces internal revolt over taxpayer-funded airfares

The embattled senator was accused of inflicting 'reputational damage' to the party in a strongly-worded motion.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young issued terse warning from colleagues as they demand she repay $50,000 in taxpayer-funded airfares and 'consider a life after politics'​

• Sarah Hanson-Young accused of bringing Greens 'into disrepute'

A high-profile Greens senator is on the brink of an internal revolt after she was accused of causing 'reputational damage' to her party.

South Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is facing tough questions over her controversial travel entitlements, which included charging taxpayers nearly $50,000 to fly her husband, a lobbyist, to and from Canberra, where he works.

As reported by The Australian, a motion accusing her of 'bringing the party into disrepute' is set to be debated by the SA Greens State Council this weekend.

The motion claims the party has suffered 'reputational damage' after Greens MPs were named in reports over their 'family reunion' travel claims.

Hanson-Young's colleagues have demanded she repay the $49,902 she claimed in airfares, as rival Greens members in Adelaide are said to be pushing for the senator to 'consider a life after politics'.

While Hanson‑Young is not named in the motion, it is understood she is the senator referenced, as it cites 'a report about a Greens MP financing a spouse's work‑related travel using taxpayer entitlements' published by News Corp.

'We express concern over these media reports bringing the party into disrepute and risking reputational damage to the party and express disappointment over actions of MPs involved in this use of taxpayer funds,' the motion states.

'It is important that we ensure this does not happen again.'

 

[Mutineer]

No, I didn’t call others “Wallys” just you.

It’s an idiotic request unless you believe all government expenditure is on the money and the government has got it right, is that what you’re thinking?

Tell me what’s your economics background to dismiss economists who are stating this?

And 2 can play this idiotic game. You blamed consumers. Which areas and by how much have they overspent, how much do you want them to reduce by and what would be the impact on inflation for each of these areas you’ve identified. I’m sure this information you’ll be able to produce quite easily.

Clam man is clearly in denial.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/homeowners-face-painful-rate-hike-as-reserve-bank-prepares-embarrassing-aboutface/news-story/c423bbe2ffd5dd12acddd74dc953a184

Homeowners brace for painful rate hike as Reserve Bank prepares for embarrassing about-face​

The Reserve Bank is under pressure to raise rates on Tuesday, making Australia the only major nation to reverse course and tighten monetary policy in a bid to contain inflation.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is on Tuesday likely to become the only major central bank in the world to reverse course and begin raising rates in a renewed bid to contain inflation – an embarrassing about-face set to cost homeowners about $1300 in higher repayments over the year ahead.
And there is a significant chance of a second hike as soon as May, doubling the financial pain.

Macquarie University economics expert Geoff Kingston told this masthead that the biggest source of inflationary pressure was government spending, including “off-budget” outlays in support of renewables.

To stop the economy from overcooking, the RBA would have to intervene not once but twice.

“I think they will go again, in May, or November, because government spending is so strong,” he said.
A second increase this year is also forecast by analysts at NAB, Citi, RBC Capital Markets, UBS and Barrenjoey Markets.

A first rate hike on Tuesday is a 72 per cent likelihood, according to derivatives trading on the Australian Securities Exchange.
That view is supported by most leading economists, with 22 of 28 top boffins surveyed by Bloomberg predicting the RBA will pull the trigger.

Commonwealth Bank chief economist Luke Yeaman, who forecasts a hike on Tuesday, said the RBA would be “playing with fire” if it held rates steady.

“The game has now changed – and quickly,” Mr Yeaman said.
Miranda resident Aline Kontarero, a software engineer and mother of two children under three, said she and husband Alex were praying rates did not go up.

She said she had to work full-time “to make ends meet”
“Putting the kids in daycare is already like a second mortgage,” she said. “We don’t have family here to help.”

Ms Kontarero said if interest rates increased, family spending would be limited to essentials. “What do you cut? (The) only thing left is the groceries,” she said.

Last week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers rejected accusations from top economists that government spending was pushing up inflation.

 

[Mutineer]

No Cookies | Sky News Australia

SkyNews.com.au — Australian News Headlines & World News Online from the best award winning journalists

www.skynews.com.au

Governments warned to reel in spending growth or risk cash rate rising upwards of five per cent as inflation climbs​

Labor has been warned to reel in its rampant spending or the Reserve Bank of Australia could be forced to hike the cash rate by a shocking amount.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been warned to arrest the growth in public spending or the Reserve Bank of Australia could be forced to hike the cash rate up towards five per cent.
A rate hike on Tuesday is likely, after inflation lifted 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to December and the unemployment rate sits near historic lows.

Money markets say there is a 77 per cent chance the cash rate will lift 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent after the RBA board emerges from their meeting on Tuesday.

Criticisms of government spending grew after the inflation spike was revealed, with AMP’s chief economist Shane Oliver arguing public spending had crowded out the private sector.

Former Labor cabinet minister Joel Fitzgibbon said the government will have to “become very very serious about winding government spending further back to take pressure off the economy more generally”.

EQ Economics managing director Warren Hogan added to the calls, telling Sky News the RBA needs to reverse the three interest rate cuts it delivered last year as he called for lower public spending growth.

 

[George CantStandYa]

Clam man is clearly in denial.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/homeowners-face-painful-rate-hike-as-reserve-bank-prepares-embarrassing-aboutface/news-story/c423bbe2ffd5dd12acddd74dc953a184

Homeowners brace for painful rate hike as Reserve Bank prepares for embarrassing about-face​

The Reserve Bank is under pressure to raise rates on Tuesday, making Australia the only major nation to reverse course and tighten monetary policy in a bid to contain inflation.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is on Tuesday likely to become the only major central bank in the world to reverse course and begin raising rates in a renewed bid to contain inflation – an embarrassing about-face set to cost homeowners about $1300 in higher repayments over the year ahead.
And there is a significant chance of a second hike as soon as May, doubling the financial pain.

Macquarie University economics expert Geoff Kingston told this masthead that the biggest source of inflationary pressure was government spending, including “off-budget” outlays in support of renewables.

To stop the economy from overcooking, the RBA would have to intervene not once but twice.

“I think they will go again, in May, or November, because government spending is so strong,” he said.
A second increase this year is also forecast by analysts at NAB, Citi, RBC Capital Markets, UBS and Barrenjoey Markets.

A first rate hike on Tuesday is a 72 per cent likelihood, according to derivatives trading on the Australian Securities Exchange.
That view is supported by most leading economists, with 22 of 28 top boffins surveyed by Bloomberg predicting the RBA will pull the trigger.

Commonwealth Bank chief economist Luke Yeaman, who forecasts a hike on Tuesday, said the RBA would be “playing with fire” if it held rates steady.

“The game has now changed – and quickly,” Mr Yeaman said.
Miranda resident Aline Kontarero, a software engineer and mother of two children under three, said she and husband Alex were praying rates did not go up.

She said she had to work full-time “to make ends meet”
“Putting the kids in daycare is already like a second mortgage,” she said. “We don’t have family here to help.”

Ms Kontarero said if interest rates increased, family spending would be limited to essentials. “What do you cut? (The) only thing left is the groceries,” she said.

Last week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers rejected accusations from top economists that government spending was pushing up inflation.

How much of a fanboi must you be that you try and dismiss the governments spending has contributed when economists are pointing it out.

Instead he attempts a pathetic deflection by asking me what I’d cut and the specific impact on inflation. Maybe he wants the info to pass it on at his next Labor Fanboi HQ meeting.

 

[Bearded Clam]

No, I didn’t call others “Wallys” just you.

It’s an idiotic request unless you believe all government expenditure is on the money and the government has got it right, is that what you’re thinking?

Tell me what’s your economics background to dismiss economists who are stating this?

And 2 can play this idiotic game. You blamed consumers. Which areas and by how much have they overspent, how much do you want them to reduce by and what would be the impact on inflation for each of these areas you’ve identified. I’m sure this information you’ll be able to produce quite easily.

**** me.. its like arguing with a 10 year old..

Nowhere in any of my comments to you did I say government expenditure doesn’t add to the rate of inflation. Of course it ****ing does. Government and consumer spending both adds to it. But interest rate hikes are aimed more at the consumer as the interest rate doesnt really have a massive effect on how a government spends.. as they dont borrow money the same way your average consumer/home owner does..

This make sense to you at all george?

Here are my two responses to you..

Gee.. well **** me, I’m sorry George.. Here I was thinking we were talking about the reserve bank lifting rates and why its done..

The reserve bank lifting rates to slow consumer spending has less to do with stopping the government spending. Governments tend to borrow money to pay for services and infrastructure regardless of the current interest rates..

If you want to discuss government spending and waste.. tell us all what things you dont want the government to stop spending money on and exactly how much it will save…

Go on.. list them all one by one and give us the reasons why you feel they are wasteful expenditures..

Bahahaha…

So.. you want to argue that its “wasteful government spending” that is to blame for inflation and thus possible increases in interest rates.
but you cant be bothered naming what that government spending is, how its wasteful and how much reducing it would effect the inflation rate!

You just want to come in here and parrot the bullshit you see and read on the pages of conservative sites like the AFR, skynews, newscorp etc and do so unquestioned and without having to back it up with anything of substance.

**** me.. and you call others “wally’s”!..

Is it too much to ask you to back your claims up with some substance?

So.. I will ask again.
Which government services, infrastructure builds and expenditures would you cut and how much would doing so reduce the inflation rate George?

Now please highlight where I have stated that “government expenditure doesnt place pressure on interest rates” or that “all government expenditure is on the money”.. these are strawman arguments you concocted in your head George.

What I did write was a response to froggy talking about WHY the reserve bank raises interest rates and what they hope to achieve by doing so… to which you butted in with a rant about labor government expenditure.

I never once replied to you saying government expenditure didnt add to inflationary pressure.. my response to you was based on asking you..

“ok then george, if you think that its wasteful government expenditure then list the expenditure YOU think is wasteful, why YOU believe it is and how much YOU believe removing what YOU perceive as wasteful government expenditure will help to reduce the interest rates.”

This is the problem with the childish “labor governments always waste money” arguments you conservatives always fall back on.. you can never go further than simply parroting this well worn line of attack.. you never back it up by actually saying what expenditures you find wasteful, why you do and how much the government could save.

Yet year after year you conservatives repeat it. Its a childish, boorish and baseless argument if you aren't willing to provide the substance to back it up.

Tell us all what the wasteful expenditure is and why you think its wasteful.. so we can all look at it and go “oh yeah, george is onto something here, the government should really cut back on that expenditure” instead of “Yawn, George is parroting his usual boring one line of ‘labor’s wasteful spending’ again”..

 

[George CantStandYa]

Lifting rates isnt solely about slowing house price growth..

Interest rates get lifted in an attempt by the fed reserve to slow the economy when its going along too strong.. by trying to cool demand for G&S’s..

The only problem is it no longer seems to work.. and the only people it really has an effect on is the working poor and those on welfare who are already scrimping and saving to get by anyway..

Your average Australian outside these two groups whinges and pisses and moans about “how hard life is”.. “cost of living pressures” and “everything is so expensive”.. yet continues to spend money like drunken ****ing sailors..

And yes.. this whole investment property/have other taxpayers pay for your investments/negative gearing rort has ****ed things big time.. but Labor tried to say they would make changes to this bullshit rort in 2019.. bill shorten took it as policy to an election and was torched..

This started it Clam.

Now where have consumers been spending “like drunken sailors”?

How much do you want them to stop spending “like drunken sailors” by? Which areas?

What will this reduction in consumer spending reduce inflation by?

 

[George CantStandYa]

Those bloody consumers, how dare they spend so much on power, the subsequent flow on in prices to fruit and veg should have been enough to force them to go without.

As for housing, selfish bastards wanting somewhere to live.

Consumers should cancel their insurances, so insurance companies wouldn’t have to pay out claims so their premiums wouldn’t have gone up.

Consumers should stop visiting seaside businesses or buying seafood and ignored the SA govts algal bloom hush money.

At least the interest rate hike will keep petrol costs down……oh wait

 

[Slippery Pete]

Those bloody consumers, how dare they spend so much on power, the subsequent flow on in prices to fruit and veg should have been enough to force them to go without.

As for housing, selfish bastards wanting somewhere to live.

Consumers should cancel their insurances, so insurance companies wouldn’t have to pay out claims so their premiums wouldn’t have gone up.

Consumers should stop visiting seaside businesses or buying seafood and ignored the SA govts algal bloom hush money.

At least the interest rate hike will keep petrol costs down……oh wait

Another demoralizing rate rise for Australians.

It’s interesting hearing the resident leftists sneer at Trump’s economy while completely ignoring a brutal fact that actually impacts their lives which is that Australia currently sits with the worst inflation in the developed world — well above the US.

 

[Daniel6]

Another demoralizing rate rise for Australians.

It’s interesting hearing the resident leftists sneer at Trump’s economy while completely ignoring a brutal fact that actually impacts their lives which is that Australia currently sits with the worst inflation in the developed world — well above the US.

You do know why the US inflation isn’t an issue?

He fired a ridiculous amount of government employees and that has lowered the government spending.

Add the reduction to Medicare and Medicaid and that looks good on spreadsheet, but it has SFA to do with lowering the cost of living for the average to lower class American Citizens.

 

[Slippery Pete]

This started it Clam.

Now where have consumers been spending “like drunken sailors”?

How much do you want them to stop spending “like drunken sailors” by? Which areas?

What will this reduction in consumer spending reduce inflation by?

He sounds like a classic tight-arse to me.

 

[kirky]

You do know why the US inflation isn’t an issue?

He fired a ridiculous amount of government employees and that has lowered the government spending.

Add the reduction to Medicare and Medicaid and that looks good on spreadsheet, but it has SFA to do with lowering the cost of living for the average to lower class American Citizens.

The have a “K” economy at the moment. One smaller group of people is doing well whilst the rest are struggling.

 

[Daniel6]

The have a “K” economy at the moment. One smaller group of people is doing well whilst the rest are struggling.

Did anyone honestly expect Trump to do anything to help the less affluent or lower income class?

He was always only going to help his million and billionaires mates and supporters.

 

[Mutineer]

And it likely won't end here..

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/economy/australian-economy/reserve-bank-delivers-25-basis-point-rate-rise-amid-cpi-surge/news-story/ccdd7ab080ed6ef8e38885b28c0f11e9

Reserve Bank delivers 25 basis point rate rise amid CPI surge​

The Reserve Bank has hiked the cash rate to 3.85 per cent amid soaring inflation data, dealing a fresh blow to households that the Governor herself has warned could be the first of more to come.

The Reserve Bank has delivered a blow to homeowners announcing a 25 basis points increase to its target cash rate today.
Following a meeting of the Bank’s board, the RBA confirmed an increase in the benchmark rate to 3.85 per cent after a series of higher than expected CPI figures over the past three months and a tight employment market.

In its statement announcing the increase, the RBA board said it “considers that inflation is likely to remain above target for some time”.

KPMG chief Economist Dr Brendan Rynne said today’s announcement was a wake-up call for the government and called for reduced public sector spending.

“Importantly the RBA cannot be the only dog in this inflation fight. Government spending, which has been adding to aggregate demand at the margin, needs to also be reined in to help better balance the demand and supply pressures driving the current push up in inflation,” he said.

The move was largely anticipated by the market, with a poll of 51 economists by comparison site Finder last week finding the majority believed the rate hike was coming.

Graham Cooke, Finder’s head of consumer research, said the RBA was sending a clear signal that the inflation “genie” isn’t back in the bottle.

“Our research showed mortgage stress on average had started to subside – expect it to rise with a vengeance as monthly payments jump,” he said.
Other economists warned today’s decision may not be the last increase this year.

University of Sydney economist James Morley said inflation and employment data suggested policy was not yet restrictive enough.

“With trimmed mean inflation ticking up to 3.3 per cent and unemployment at 4.1 per cent, the RBA will see its current stance as insufficiently restrictive,” Professor Morley said.

“I suspect this inflation outcome means the RBA may also move again in coming months, before waiting to see if a more restrictive stance brings inflation back into the target range.”

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Another demoralizing rate rise for Australians.

It’s interesting hearing the resident leftists sneer at Trump’s economy while completely ignoring a brutal fact that actually impacts their lives which is that Australia currently sits with the worst inflation in the developed world — well above the US.

Lol, Trump is ****ing up the US economy, creating record debt with his tax cuts for the rich. Going to cost them long term as they are living off debt. Deficit of $1.7 trillion... let that sink in!

 

[Mutineer]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/treasurer-jim-chalmers-blames-holiday-spending-for-inflation-as-economists-warn-on-government-outlays/news-story/f05312ae2187b9a790515b6c0a7d2e54

Treasurer Jim Chalmers blames holiday spending for inflation as economists warn on government outlays​

Whether you like Jim Chalmers or not, it’s become clear that even he is running out of ideas to defend Labor’s expenditure

Jim Chalmers says one of the chief causes of resurgent inflation is summer getaways, as he seeks to deflect attention from the role historically high government outlays is playing in pushing up interest rates.
“If you look at the most recent tick-up in the most recent CPI (consumer price index) data, for example, the big driver of that was holiday spending,” the Treasurer told Sky News on Tuesday.

He said claims that (near-record) public spending is making the Reserve Bank of Australia’s job tougher are often more “politically motivated” than founded in facts.

Now whether you like Dr Chalmers or not, most people would agree that he is smart – and a good talker. But it’s become clear that even he is running out of ideas to defend Labor’s expenditure.

What political motivation do credible economists such as E&Y’s Cherelle Murphy, HSBC’s Paul Bloxham, EQ’s Warren Hogan and AMP’s Shane Oliver have in saying the government is now spending more than is healthy and overstimulating the economy?

Is it unreasonable of the media to ask these experts their opinion?

In that Sky News interview, the Treasurer went on to say that public demand had taken a “big step back” in 2025.

If you take that to mean government spending fell in 2025 compared to 2024, you would be wrong.

Government spending rose last year, from already very high levels. It’s just that the rate of increase was not as strong.

The problem now is that household and business spending have lifted off a low level.

That should be a good thing. However, when persistently strong government outlays are added in, then total demand is too great relative to supply. Hence inflation is rising instead of falling, which the RBA won’t tolerate.

As the Reserve Bank said in its new set of forecasts on Tuesday, the economy is “capacity constrained”.

And how will supply and demand get back into a balance that eases inflation? Through interest rate hikes that trigger what the RBA calls a “period of below-potential growth in activity.”

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

You do know why the US inflation isn’t an issue?

He fired a ridiculous amount of government employees and that has lowered the government spending.

Add the reduction to Medicare and Medicaid and that looks good on spreadsheet, but it has SFA to do with lowering the cost of living for the average to lower class American Citizens.

& used this to fund tax cuts for the rich.

 

[Coopers]

Lol, Trump is ****ing up the US economy, creating record debt with his tax cuts for the rich. Going to cost them long term as they are living off debt. Deficit of $1.7 trillion... let that sink in!

Depends on who "they" are though right? Trump and co will personally be just fine. Probably way better off.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Bernardi is better suited to One Nation...& what a joke that he criticises his old party... but he is a joke of a politician!

One Nation SA candidate Cory Bernardi says party will be 'strongest voice of opposition'

One Nation's lead candidate for South Australia Cory Bernardi has taken aim at the "two-party duopoly" in the state, with Pauline Hanson issuing a warning to Labor that her party would be "coming for your seats".

www.abc.net.au

 

[Slippery Pete]

Lol, Trump is ****ing up the US economy, creating record debt with his tax cuts for the rich. Going to cost them long term as they are living off debt. Deficit of $1.7 trillion... let that sink in!

None of this biased drivel helps the average Australian family who now has to factor in another rate rise to their mortgage.

Anything to say about the state of the Australian economy or not?

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

None of this biased drivel helps the average Australian family who now has to factor in another rate rise to their mortgage.

Anything to say about the state of the Australian economy or not?

You were the one who brought it up... & now you have been caught out once again with you Slippery Facts, you have gone on a diversion again lol.

The Australian economy is still in a far better state than the US economy you compared to... but yes, there are issues to deal with.

As I have mentioned plenty of times, we need some serious Tax reform... which is the biggest structural issue for our economy.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The tentacles of corruption spread far & wide... & Australia is worse off after Abbott backed in the fossil fuel companies to pay buggar all tax, so they could take their profits overseas at the expense of Australian taxpayers.

Another reason why we need to end political donations... which is posted last night containing plenty of fossil fuel companies.

Rudd's scrapped mining profits tax discussed by miners in Epstein emails

Newly released documents show British Labour peer Peter Mandelson kept sex trafficking paedophile Jeffrey Epstein informed about the campaign against Kevin Rudd's proposed mining tax.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Slippery Pete]

You were the one who brought it up... & now you have been caught out once again with you Slippery Facts, you have gone on a diversion again lol.

The Australian economy is still in a far better state than the US economy you compared to... but yes, there are issues to deal with.

As I have mentioned plenty of times, we need some serious Tax reform... which is the biggest structural issue for our economy.

We need a competent government and treasurer.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

We need a competent government and treasurer.

We haven't had a decent Treasurer since Costello!

Need a competent Reserve Bank Governor too.