11 hours ago, BasalBanality said:

If memory serves me, it was during John Howard's abysmal term in office when the privatisation of electricity began and in 1998 the National Electricity Market was institutionalised?

 

Why would the Federal government be of much concerned as long as the tax regime continues to fill the coffers? 

 

John Howard's abysmal term in government????  Are you kidding?   I'll answer that.........you are kidding!!!   Howard was right up there with Menzies as one of the greatest PM's Australia has ever seen.  In fact, Menzies and Howard the two greatest PM's Australia has ever seen.

 

He may have been in office when privatization of electricity supply was effected, but power is a state government responsibility, not federal.

Edited August 12, 20178 yr by F4UCorsair

As was mentioned in the OP, the budget excludes accommodation costs.  

 

Here in Naypyidaw (Myanmar), I eat fresh food every day (fruit, veg, yog, nuts), plus dark chocolate, some wine.  Go to the gym every day, use the swimming pool in a 5-star hotel.

 

Average daily spend is under 10,000 MMK ==> 5.66 GBP.  

 

I can get almost 3 months out of that 500 GBP :)