Walker, Malcolm, 1950- :"How's that? It's the biggest we can borrow." ... 10 June 2011

Prime Minister John Key and Finance Minister Bill English proudly stand on either side of a small fellow engulfed in an enormous jersey that represents the 'deficit' as they prepare to be photographed. John Key tells the fellow in the jersey 'it's the biggest we can borrow' while Bill English says 'Don't worry, you'll grow into it..' Context - Treasury today published the Government's financial statements for the 10 months ended April 30, which showed the debt mountain had grown to $71.6b. The figures were released amid criticism that more debt is being taken on than necessary, and the Council of Trade Unions said the Government was "trying to scare people" by its misleading use of high borrowing figures. The Government is practising "good cash management" by borrowing an extra $5 billion this year to take advantage of low interest rates despite gross debt hitting $71.6b, a senior economist says. (Stuff June 7, 2011)

Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).