FACTS FIGHT BACK
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Politics is about persuading voters about priorities.
To do so, facts are important, but they can also be misused in an attempt to win the debate.
Here the facts fight back. This site presents the facts to help keep the debate clean and to persuade politicians and others to stick to the facts.
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Billions of dollars in support or zero?> Check the facts

Billions of dollars in support or zero?> Check the facts

June 26, 2014
Economy, Environment, Government

In Mining the age of entitlement: State government assistance to the minerals and fossil fuel sector The Australia Institute has detailed the extent to which…

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How does $6 billion equal $16 billion? > Check the facts

How does $6 billion equal $16 billion? > Check the facts

September 6, 2013
Economy

Who:  “The budget impact of the Coalition’s policies is to improve the budget bottom line by $6 billion and reduce government debt by $16 billion.”…

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Will the Coalition’s budget cuts push the economy into recession? > Check the facts

Will the Coalition’s budget cuts push the economy into recession? > Check the facts

September 6, 2013
Economy, Society

Who: “Most of all, I fear an Australian economy which through Mr Abbott’s massive cuts would risk triggering the economy into recession with huge hits…

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Is Australia living beyond its means? > Check the facts

Is Australia living beyond its means? > Check the facts

August 22, 2013
Economy

Who: “It [a budget surplus] matters because Australia doesn’t fund itself as a nation. We are running a current account deficit of around $50 billion…

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Is Australia's public debt really that big? > Check the facts

Is Australia’s public debt really that big? > Check the facts

June 30, 2013
Economy

Who:  “The path back to surpluses, debt reduction and a strong, prosperous economy must be through cutting wasteful spending, rather than on increasing taxes or…

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Why

Between elections governments are held to account through debate. This debate takes place in the parliament, media, in workplaces, at BBQs and parties, around the kitchen table and online.
Politicians, pundits and interest groups attempt to influence the debate and persuade us which side of the debate to take.

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Should the Australian government encourage renewable forms of energy or do we need to support fossil fuels? Is returning the budget back to surplus the number one priority and if so should be decrease spending or increase revenue? Should we focus on industrial relations or indigenous recognition?

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There are, of course, no right answers to such questions. But to use the complexity of a policy issue to cloud debate with half-truths and misrepresentation of the facts to win the debate undermines the democratic accountability of government.

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The media plays an important role in presenting an even handed account of the debate and ensuring a range of voices are heard. In turn politicians are keen to influence the debate through the media's reporting. Undue influence risks silencing some voices from the debate.
As the political debates continue Facts Fight Back will provide a timely and accessible source of information to help keep the debate clean and and ensure the public, journalists and the politicians themselves keep track of who is sticking to the facts.

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