In the first Politics Podcast for 2016, Michelle Grattan and Shadow Finance Minister Tony Burke discuss the challenging gap between government revenue and spending, and what Labor would do to address the problem.

Burke pitches Labor’s recent education announcements as being central to its economic vision, describing them as a “strategic economic investment” in what Australia will need post the mining boom.

He also responds to the divisions in Labor over GST changes, and the need to ensure Australia maintains its triple-A credit rating. Asked about Treasury Secretary John Fraser’s high-profile speech last week, Burke is complimentary.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.