Is the government failing at managing the economy?

The economy is showing growth figures on par with the global financial crisis and none of the government’s tax breaks seem to be making a difference. The Coalition is refusing to use the word stimulus to avoid admitting economic despair, but in doing so it’s failed to communicate the need for spending at a critical time. So, what should they be doing to stimulate growth next year? Katharine Murphy is joined by Greg Jericho and the Age and the SMH’s senior economics correspondent, Shane Wright