The Federal Parliament has rushed through $84 billion in financial support for workers, students and businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak, before wrapping up for a five-month-long break. A bare minimum of MPs and Senators came to Canberra for a single day to vote on legislation for the Government's two rounds of stimulus measures. The bills were passed late Monday night without objection in both the House of Representatives and the Senate after some amendments were made. "The measures that have been passed by the Parliament today represent the most significant support for the Australian economy and community since the war," said Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. "There is much to do for this country in the weeks and months ahead, but working together, we can support the Australian community at their moment of need." Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said the Parliament's co-operation "has been a good example today of the Parliament at its best, working at a time when the nation is facing some of its worst". The legislation supports both the first coronavirus economic stimulus package, worth $17.6 billion, and the $66 billion in direct financial support announced in the second package on the weekend. It also includes a raft of other measures to support the economy more broadly, as well as giving the Government flexibility to respond to changing circumstances without needing further legislation.

Task:

Discuss the advantages and potential problems of conducting discretionary fiscal

policy such as this.

Criteria:

1. Accurate explanation of the current economic situation that necessitates the

policy response

2. Discussion of a number of advantages of the policy

3. Discussion of a number of potential problems of the policy