Opposition Senator Alex Brown has questioned the credibility of the government’s 2026 budget figures, warning that headline numbers can be manipulated to present a misleading picture of the country’s finances.
Speaking during the budget debate in the Upper House, Brown said the presentation of the figures reminded him of a book he once read titled Lies, Lies and Statistics, arguing that numbers can be arranged in ways that obscure the true financial position.
“Numbers don’t lie,” Brown said. “And I would tend to agree — when the numbers are correct. Numbers can be manipulated.”
Brown took issue with claims of a budget surplus, saying the calculations presented to Parliament failed to include key costs, particularly interest payments.
“When you look at the estimates, you see the revenue, and you see the expenditure, and you come out with a surplus,” he said. “But if you turn to the next page, you’re going to see some interest that was not included.”
He argued that once those costs are factored in, the surplus effectively disappears.
“So if you include that, you no longer have a surplus,” Brown told the Senate.
Drawing on his background in hotel management, Brown said budgets can be structured in ways that shift expenses to make results appear more favorable, comparing it to how costs are sometimes reclassified in private-sector accounting.
“I gave that scenario to demonstrate the book I read — Lies, Lies and Statistics,” he said.
Brown also questioned the government’s borrowing plans, noting that the financing required far exceeded what was initially presented.
“We’re borrowing something like $600 million,” he said. “Where is that money going?”
He said Parliament has a responsibility to scrutinize the figures carefully, particularly when borrowing and financing are involved.
“Do your research,” Brown said. “Fear none, but let’s look at the right.”
