The Budget Blow-out: Why the Environment Will Win Over Aged Care

All eyes are on the May federal budget as policymakers weigh up priorities for two big-ticket items – environmental protection and the pressing needs of an increasingly ageing population. The environment is a key issue for younger generations who are expecting to live longer, while the baby boomers most immediately are facing the prospect of more years in retirement. The pressure is on but assumptions cannot be made about generational spending preferences, warn experts. Adeline Tubb, a researcher at the Australian School of Business, has produced a model that shows environmental protection looks set to win in the end.