Onto something I do understand: economics. This reminds me of the 2007 election debate where KRudd and Howard both pushed their economic credentials by saying they were ‘responsible’ with the economy, and to prove it they would pledge to keep the surplus at an ever increasing percentage of GDP (never mind what would happen in an economic downturn as happens every several years or so, when guess what? Economic growth slows and unless the government raises taxes or cuts welfare, we will have a budget deficit even Without increasing spending) . Stupid policy, but it sounds reasonable to the average person, so even though our politicians (hopefully) know their promises are harmful, it wins them votes. Real lowest common denominator stuff.

Should be an interesting episode of Four Corners highlighting how politics so often gets in the way of good governance. I too am a Labor man, but I do like Turnbull.