The Wire

Economists and pundits are scrutinizing the Rudd government’s second stimulus package. They’re questioning whether the 42 billion dollar scheme has a strong enough focus on job creation. The package includes one-off cash handouts as well as a raft of infrastructure initiatives aimed at boosting economic activity. But the unemployed won’t get anything extra. Some question the wisdom of not giving any bonus to the people who are most likely to spend it rather than save it.