Borrowing from the future to fund today's innovation programs?

Yesterday ABC online spent some time analysing the Government's revised economic forecasts.
It's a short arc from there to uncertainty over the implementation of Venturous Australia.

Government revenues will fall by $40 million over four years.

Either government spending also contracts (which affects implementation of Venturous Australia) or Labor chances a deficit budget with a short run to the next federal election.

So the choices break down to short term economic stimulus (cash handouts, spending on necessary infrastructure) or longer term systemic change (investing in innovation capability for productivity growth).

One is good for votes, the other for the country.

Let's hope Prime Minister Rudd and Minister Senator Carr can convince Cabinet and the population that we need to Zig when traditionally we have Zagged.