Crunch time

Budget season is kicking off with a focus on the essentials but is it the best course?

In the midst of a particular moment in time politically, there is a tendency for political leaders to embrace a form of tunnel vision. When a crisis or specific mood is at hand, respond directly to it and appear in tune with the electorate and the times.

This is totally understandable but as we have learned many times in recent years, it’s incredibly important to not give in entirely to short-term thinking.

This is very much front and centre for Gold Coast political leaders as they prepare to hold budget talks, the first of the new term.

The message from Mayor Tom Tate and his deputy Donna Gates is crystal clear – council will be focusing on the essentials this year, with no “grandiose” projects getting the tick off.

“The budget will be outlining some of the issues that are close to my heart,” Mr Tate said.

“This budget’s theme will be cost of living, so any ideas of grandiose expenditure apart from frontline services will be put aside until we can live within our means.

“That will help everyone to understand our budget will be set at CPI or below.”

Beyond the message to his colleagues, Mr Tate is also sending a message to the public – that his and the council’s focus is on delivering both relief and minimising the impact of inflation and rising costs.

It’s as much a philosophical argument about priorities as it is addressing the realities of the financial times.

But with that said, it’s critical that this does not become the only focus.

While council’s key focus this year will be on the basics, there will also be one eye on the future, with small amounts of funding set aside for major projects that will need it in coming years, such as light rail stage 4 and the Southport masterplan.

It’s an important balance to get right but it is one that must be done.

Too much of a focus on the short-term leads to little of true significance being achieved and a deficit of infrastructure in coming years, while an all-macro focus is politically damaging in the shortterm.

What are shiny baubles today are the necessities of tomorrow.

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