Original article by Simon Benson
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 9-Dec-16

Economist Tony Makin has concluded that the $A100bn fiscal stimulus package of former prime minister Kevin Rudd was in fact detrimental to the economy. Makin has reviewed the stimulus program on behalf of the Treasury, and noted that apart from wasting taxpayers’ funds on unnecessary expenditure, it hurt the local manufacturing industry. Makin also refutes suggestions that fiscal stimulus helped to protect the domestic economy from the full impact of the global financial crisis, arguing that factors such as a falling Australian dollar, low interest rates and demand for commodities played a greater role.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY