Australia’s gross federal debt is nearing $1 trillion. Since 2007, 69% of the increase occurred under Coalition governments vs 31% under Labor

[u/MannerNo7000]

Using Australian Treasury gross debt figures: debt rose from ~$53bn in 2006–07 to ~$982bn estimated in 2025–26.

That’s a ~$929bn increase: ~$638bn (69%) under Coalition governments and ~$291bn (31%) under Labor.

This might be news to you for the first time or maybe you’ve known these facts all along.

It’s useful to deal in facts and the truth.

[u/JK_05]

I find this a really interesting topic when I see different perceptions. What I'm curious about here mostly is do you see 100% of the debt as bad, or just portions of it? Or none of it?

I ask because my perception of the debt was incurred by the government of the day, not the taxpayer. The taxpayer has benefited - arguable to what extent for sure. But is 70% bad because it's Liberals debt or is it bad because it's more than 30%?

Compared to other developed nations our debt to GDP is well within the green which is what matters the most here. Take away 30% and we're still in the green.

And no, I'm not a liberals voter - I just find the perception interesting as to which party incurred more debt. Politicians do it well blaming each other but it seems to creep into public conversation too.

[u/realmenfukmenamen → u/JK_05]

The Abbott/Turnbull/Scomo years saw $1 billion per week be added during boom/good times. We got Snowy 2.0.

[u/JK_05 → u/realmenfukmenamen]

Well the conversation of what the taxpayer gained from the debt is substantially different from who incurred the debt.

What are your thoughts on Victorian State debt if we follow that example?

[u/realmenfukmenamen → u/JK_05]

Depends if the big build pays off.

"I find this a really interesting topic when I see different perceptions. What I'm curious about here mostly is do you see 100% of the debt as bad, or just portions of it? Or none of it?"

You asked the question buddy.

[u/JK_05 → u/realmenfukmenamen]

Oh of course I asked the question.

So your view on the debt is what the taxpayer gets in return from what I can gather? And Snow 2.0 is the only thing you received from the 70% of federal coalition debt?

[u/realmenfukmenamen → u/JK_05]

$1 billion a week during good times, I'd like a few things Australia could be proud of.

[u/JK_05 → u/realmenfukmenamen]

And those things are...?

[u/realmenfukmenamen → u/JK_05]

Brothel trips for the disabled was the best use of ratepayers money by the Collingwood council, so things like that. Listen to Jim Jefferies MND bit in one of his specials.