In politics, spin will only get you so far. Facts matter. Just not so much at budget time.
In the weeks before the annual budget, a treasurer has a remarkable opportunity to spend ample time building a positive political narrative around a document no one can check because it has not yet been released.
It’s a spin doctor’s dream.
Budgets allow governments to control the media cycle for weeks on end through a mix of authorised drops, strategically placed anonymous leaks, kite-flying and scene-setting speeches about the economy.
There is nothing unusual about governments using the benefits of incumbency to shape messaging to their own advantage.
