GAVIN KEETON: Good times will test Gordhan's fiscal principles - 0 views
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Sondos 2 on 31 Mar 11The thrust of fiscal policy in South Australia since 1994 towards reduced budget deficits and the elimination of government dissaving (borrowing to fund consumption, mainly salaries) was opposed from the outset from within the ruling alliance, with calls for a larger role for the state in the economy being accompanied by demands for increased government spending and larger deficits. With president Thabo Mbeki 's departure in 2008 brought about in part by the same political elements, there were reasons for believing that fiscal policy might change. But the global financial crisis and the local recession instead took precedence over policy debates within the alliance. Budget deficits rose and interest rates fell, but for cyclical reasons and not ideological pressures.