European crisis no laughing matter

Ministers in the Gillard government often claim that Australia's sovereign debt position is in a better position that the crisis levels of some European nations, however the recent analysis of the Business Council of Australia shows that Labor has taken our nation down a dangerous path of debt and deficit.

With looming pressures from an ageing population it is hard to think of a more reckless act than for the Rudd/Gillard government to plunge Australia's federal government into record levels of debt.

It is true that Australia has debt levels lower than that of European nations in crisis, but that should not be Australia's benchmark.

The previous Coalition government lived within its means, by paying off debt, delivering successive budget surpluses and not borrowing.

That should be the aim of all Australian governments. The lessons of Europe are there to be learned.