Scott Hyams, of Tamworth, writes looking at the government's economic record.
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EVERYWHERE you look across the New England electorate there are signs proclaiming we are “Better Off with Barnaby”.
The question needs to be asked – who exactly will be better off?
Let’s have a look at the record of the Turnbull/Joyce LNP government over the past three years.
During the 2013 election campaign, we were told they would fix the debt and deficit disaster – this has not happened.
From $153 billion when they assumed office, net debt since has ballooned to $279 billion.
It has risen from 10 per cent to 17 per cent of GDP.
Perhaps the unemployed have been the winners?
There are now 726,000 Australians unemployed – an increase of 40,000 over the past three years.
A significant problem of underemployment also exists, with 60,000 fulltime jobs lost since this government was elected – there are now one million people underemployed, essentially stuck in part-time jobs.
Wages growth has hit an 18-year low, at just 2.1 per cent, resulting in less money in your pocket.
The Turnbull/Joyce government has the post-WWII record of lowest growth in personal income.
The records don’t stop there, however.
The current government has also seen the largest expansion of private household debt, beating that observed under the Howard overnment.
Record low wages and income growth, coupled with a record increase in household debt. Not really something you’d want to boast about.
The LNP claim they are better economic managers – the facts show this is not the case.
Better off with Barnaby?
I don’t think so.