Federal budgets are about choices about where public money should be spent. Instead, governments cynically use them to manipulate public fears and expectations.

In the days and weeks leading up to May 14, leaks about economic data and “new” measures are drip fed to the media, to sell a familiar message that the government will try its best to ease our pain and concerns, while remaining “economically responsible”.

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The latest budget is no different, except Labor has to go to a federal election by September 27 next year.

Whether Labor or the Coalition, we get the same basic budget soft sell — an attempt to placate us while offering “choices” that fundamentally serve the corporate rich.

Anthony Albanese’s Labor government has proved itself to be a loyal economic manager for the capitalist ruling class.

Last year’s budget forecast a $4 billion surplus for 2022–23, but it actually turned out to be $22 billion!

The 2024 budget is also predicted to be flush, with $25 billion........

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