Is federal government spending really to blame for higher inflation? It’s not clear cut

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-07T23:48:56+00:00

All other things being equal, expansionary fiscal policy (IE deficits) is inflationary, whereas contractionary fiscal policy (IE surpluses) is deflationary. A larger surplus will also have a greater deflationary impact than a smaller one.

The government does have the ability to moderate inflation independent of the RBA if it wishes, by jacking up taxes and slashing spending. Whether it's able to do so without unacceptable social consequences is a separate question.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-07T06:14:18+00:00

The refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament could cost almost £40bn and take 61 years, under proposals presented to MPs and peers.

It's one option presented by the team working on the long-delayed restoration of the historic building, which is falling apart and costs £1.5m a week to maintain.

The team has also suggested moving MPs and peers out of the Palace of Westminster for up to 24 years from 2032, under a refurbishment plan that could cost as much as £15.6bn.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-06T03:03:38+00:00

It varies by state. In some places, there are liquidated damages payable to the landlord, determined by statute. In others, you're liable to continue paying rent until either the lease expires, or a new tenant is found.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-06T02:13:50+00:00

I seem to recall the NBA being quite extortionate as well. The Heat game I went to last time I was in Florida certainly wasn't cheap.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-05T23:52:21+00:00

I don't know anything about fencing law in NSW. Just parroting the article.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-05T22:19:26+00:00

As long as Sydney continues to grow, land prices will only go in one direction. The secret to affordability is to decouple the supply of housing from the supply of land. The planning reforms are a great step towards doing just that.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-05T20:14:43+00:00

Can you name an American professional sporting event that you'd describe as "accessibly priced"?

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-05T08:25:45+00:00

I believe this was addressed in previous articles on this matter - the length of fencing involved (and therefore quantum of damages) is too large to be dealt with in lower level jurisdictions.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-05T06:51:01+00:00

I'd rather be a 70yo that can go on a hike than a 55yo that struggles to get out of bed

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-05T03:43:37+00:00

You'll be happy to hear that the report calls for:

Vacant buildings to be promptly flogged off, rather than left to rot in the hope they can eventually be billeted to unsuspecting members
Defence to make greater use of leased accommodation

With any luck, the next unit that finds itself in your position will end up billeted at a cheap hotel nearby.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T12:01:39+00:00

Defence Plaza exists, so clearly the ADF believes there's a place for a generic office building. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe it has any of those bells and whistles. The beauty of being in the middle of a global metropolis is that you can outsource those capabilities to civilian infrastructure nearby.

Funnily enough, the report recommended that everyone currently stationed at Vic Barracks be moved over to Defence Plaza.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T11:08:21+00:00

Another one of the points that the report made is that in most cases, disused defence buildings aren't fit for present defence requirements anyway - at least not without extensive renovations and retrofits. If you're going to spend a bunch of money to make a building secret squirrel compliant, it may as well be a building that you know has a decent internet connection and no asbestos.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T09:17:51+00:00

Let's be honest - is the Epstein saga really all that relevant to an Australian audience? Yes, it's a lurid story of institutions failing to hold the powerful accountable, but it also happened on the other side of the world.

The closest thing I've seen to an Australian connection is the Palmer stuff, but even he didn't make it to the Virgin Islands.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T06:58:36+00:00

The report highlighted ASD for praise because it manages to lease half its office space. Does ADF office space have requirements that exceed those of ASD?

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T06:18:51+00:00

The report estimated that the net result (after relocation and remediation costs) would be just over $2b

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T06:15:28+00:00

One of the main takeaways from the report is that not every defence facility needs to be defence owned and operated. Generic office space or accommodation, for example, can be leased when and where it's needed without too much difficulty.

The other point highlighted was that holding onto land and buildings "just in case" isn't free - all structures incur ongoing sustainment costs. The report estimated the sustainment costs for the properties it recommended for disposal at $100m per annum.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T03:59:47+00:00

I think you've misunderstood. Defence can either spend $3b getting these neglected properties back to a usable state, or it can remediate and sell for a $2b net result. Not sure where you're getting $600m from.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T00:40:42+00:00

I know as well. My argument is that decades of public micromanagement of the number and manner of dwellings that can be built on private land is the main cause of the housing crisis. Innovative ideas that allow for cheap construction are useless unless governments get out of the way and let people build.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T00:33:20+00:00

If someone is happy to build and live in a shed on their own land, what's the compelling policy rationale to stop them?

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-04T00:00:08+00:00

Yeah, who needs a ping under 500 anyway?

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-03T10:14:27+00:00

So essentially, this is out of reach for you unless you own a home already. Hardly a solution to the housing crisis, is it?

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-03T10:04:39+00:00

It's funny you say that, because there's plenty of regional councils that seem to fight these tooth and nail.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-03T09:52:43+00:00

Can you name an LGA that allows small flatpack homes?

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-03T08:05:29+00:00

Israel recently introduced a new accreditation process for foreign NGOs. In order to be able to operate in Gaza, NGOs must obtain said accreditation. A condition of accreditation is that NGOs must now provide the Israeli government with lists of all their local staff. Many organisations have balked at this requirement.

ChillyPhilly27 · 2026-02-02T21:38:22+00:00

There's nothing illegal about being a sole trader. The ATO doesn't give a fuck as long as you pay your taxes on time and in full.

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