Jim Bacon had a vision for Tasmania. True, it only revolved around football, forestry and ferries, but we were all clear on where he stood.

I’m not sure whether Lara Giddings has a vision. If she does, I suspect it’s something like: “There are monsters outside. We’d best close the curtains.”

For weeks, we’ve endured media speculation about what the state budget, Giddings’ first attempt at rescuing the state from a slide into economic irrelevancy, would contain.

So here’s the brief picture: more footy, but fewer schools. More speed cameras, but fewer police.

I’ve little interest in the budget minutae — our mainstream media well be explaining for days who gets what, when and where. I’m more concerned with the macro picture, and it isn’t a pretty one.

Lara’s monsters outside the door are real.  Most national economic indicators are well-summarised by Treasury in the budget documents.

That data paints a picture of a state with little employment growth, consumer spending paralysed by uncertainty, rising interest rates and a business environment still adjusting to a post-industrial world.

Left unchecked, those factors inevitably lead a sluggish economy, with little to inspire business investment. Perfect conditions for a recession.

*Read the rest of this article at Tasmanian Times