Turnbull and problems with friends

A start in providing a sensible overview was made by the previous ALP Government with the establishment of a Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission. But the Abbott Government attempted to abolish the Commission and was only blocked by the Senate.

We actually need a Minister for the Social Sector, with a Department to ensure the sector delivers its vital services with maximum efficiency and return on public and private contributions. This sector is much bigger than primary industries, for example.

But strong opposition to such a move would be expected from the Catholic Church and other religious organisations. They resent any questioning of how they spend the money they have invested and their income from many sources. It can be assumed they were the driving force behind the attempted abolition of the Charities Commission. They certainly oppose any change to the tax-free status of their business interests.

It will be interesting to see if Turnbull is prepared to take on the Churches in this increasingly important area, particularly given the strong religious influence in the Liberal Party, and his own Catholicism.

The third group of 'friends' he will have to confront are the various big business interests. Thy will expect Turnbull to deliver lots of 'reform', by which they mean tax cuts for them and pay cuts for their underlings. He should tell them its all about transition, not reform.

Big business will also want him to maintain Australia's ridiculously high migration program, which is driving higher population growth than exists in most Asian nations and way higher than Europe, China and Japan. The easiest way to immediately reduce government expenditure is to cut the migrant intake. Then we could concentrate on improving and maintaining infrastructure rather than just expanding it. But property developers and the primitive 'all growth is good' brigade will expect 'their man' to do their bidding.

Business will be very supportive of cutting health and education spending for the masses. But it's the huge subsidies for what is laughably called private health and education that should be trimmed. When we hear business leaders arguing for cuts to the private schools their kids and grandchildren attend, which could result in that third swimming pool or second rifle range not happening, we will have to take them seriously.

Business leaders are also not keen on ending the massive tax benefits provided to rich retirees, though admittedly there are some exceptions.

How Prime Minister Turnbull deals with all these issues will be critical in the ultimate assessment of his success. Disappointing your friends is a key part of the job. The ALP is the least of his worries.