Voters are sceptical about Dutton’s war on the public service. And America’s disembowelment is a cautionary tale | Peter Lewis

The Guardian Essential Report joins the plethora of polls and models tapping the national mood.

Peter Dutton is drawing inspiration from Elon Musk’s crypto-meme inspired department of government efficiency.

While the Coalition refuses to give a clear number of positions to go, it has consistently catcalled Labor for creating 36,000 new public-sector jobs in office.

Dutton has taken a similar approach with the appointment of referendum-buster Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to a “government efficiency” shadow ministry.

Lowering the tax base is actually an argument to dilute the effectiveness and reduce the role of the state.

Taking the axe to government should be an informed choice.

With Trump 's America disembowelling itself, at least we are getting a glimpse of the costs before we potentially embark on our own cycle of self-flagellation.