Stimulus to provide a boost?

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6 replies [Last post]

Mon, 16/02/2009 - 11:22

Trevor Clarke

Joined: 14 April 2008

Posts: 26

With Strathfield now virtually gone and the Ofis stores closed by Harvey Norman, it's clear retail is in some trouble (JB HiFi's good results aside). Will the stimulus package provide some relief?

Tue, 17/02/2009 - 15:22

Anonymous

Joined: 1 January 1970

Posts:

I certainly think it will

I certainly think it will help out the retailers who are doing well - the JB Hi Fis and the like. People are clearly willing to spend money in those stores, so there should be an influx of $900s as well.

The stores that are struggling might not get nearly as much in as they hope, though. I don't think people will be entirely frivilous with the Ruddbucks, and the stores that are struggling are clearly not impressing consumers in the current climate.

Tue, 17/02/2009 - 15:27

Anonymous

Joined: 1 January 1970

Posts:

People will just pay off debt

It could help, but I reckon people are more likely to pay off their debts than spend it at a retail outlet.

Thu, 19/02/2009 - 17:52

Anonymous

Joined: 1 January 1970

Posts:

Personally I don't think it

Personally I don't think it should be given in cash anyway.. Food / Utility vouchers to those that need.

I'm in the high income, no kids bracket - I get nothing. But I don't care as long as someone who genuinely needs it gets it..

The percentage of the pokies usage in QLD and VIC last package rose - glad that was well spent..

I'd rather see the goverment look at mid-low income workers (not dole bludgers) and see how they can wipe their debt for them for example if you have a personal loan - freeze the interest for 3 years - that could be worth $900, who knows - but it would be better than a few nights on the piss, a few takeaways and a splurge at the pokies..

Yes I might be cynical, but if you had $900 - would it really solve a problem?

Fri, 20/02/2009 - 09:28

Anonymous

Joined: 1 January 1970

Posts:

I don't think that is the

I don't think that is the point of the handouts though. The Government wants to do something immediate to boost the economy, and that kind of cash injection will do that.

Remember, the stimulus package also has all kinds of infrastructure spending involved - the $900 is a relatively small part of it.

If that $900 goes into a few slabs of beer - great. Sore heads aside, there's more money in retail. Pokies? Great. Waste of money for the individual, boost to the economy. Plasma screen (or that shiny new Nintendo DSi, which, at $300 each, you could get one for each kid in the family!)? Wonderful, not only is there a bit of entertainment to distract you from the hard times, but you're boosting retail.

The cash handouts are not designed to be a long term solution to the problems lower income people are suffering. They're there to stave off an official recession, boost retail a bit, and give the longer-term infrastructure plans a chance to take off.

Plus, I need a new Xbox :-) It has my support.

Fri, 20/02/2009 - 11:09

Anonymous

Joined: 1 January 1970

Posts:

Bloody people wanting to get

Bloody people wanting to get stuff for free, gives me the shits..

Save for your Xbox and let someone else who really needs it benefit

Fri, 20/02/2009 - 11:23

Anonymous

Joined: 1 January 1970

Posts:

Hey, Rudd's making Xboxes

Hey, Rudd's making Xboxes available to the lower income masses, perhaps for the first time. Mabye saving that kind of money isn't an option, and this is a nice chance to have a bit of fun for a change :-)