The press gallery consensus seems to be that there’s likely to be a fair number of cuts in the federal budget this year, as the government tries to fund its various promises without expanding the budget deficit further. As such, it might be a good opportunity to kill off some badly-designed expenditures, subsidies, tax exemptions and whatnot, like this ridiculous FBT exemption, a long-time target of green groups.

While it’s unlikely to be taken up, killing off the private health insurance subsidy is one that comes to mind. And, while it’s small change in the context of the budget, I’d love the chaplains in schools program to go just on principle.

What else?

It’s been noted before in comments here at LP, but continuing the Tim Dunlop theme, it’s also worth highlighting the initiative of commenters at the former Blogocracy in establishing Blogocrats. It’s a very powerful reminder of the importance of community in the blogosphere and online media more generally.

Pavlov’s Cat also has some interesting reflections on being a sociable blogger, and how addictive it can be. It’s well worth remembering that there is stuff to do other than correct people who are wrong on the internets. At a time when so many blogs are making the switch to the Crikey platform, and others are considering such a move (and that comments thread is worth a read), I think it’s important both to celebrate the independent blogosphere (not that I’m knocking the Crikey folks – quite the contrary) and blogging as an amateur practice in the best sense of the word – do it as long it’s fun and rewarding, and you’re writing about what you’re passionate about, not as a chore or because you think you’re on a mission to change the world. Remember that next time some concern troll or trollblogger denounces the whole show as falling short of the high standards the MSM sets for “balance and fact” or loudly condemns you for not blogging about this or that. The public sphere isn’t all uber serious rational deliberation (is it ever?) but a space for expression and enjoyment, or it should be.

Speaking of blogging, Rx advised in comments that Tim Dunlop’s commenting crew from the now sadly erstwhile Blogocracy have set themselves up in their own digs. That’s an interesting development, and it also goes to show one other important thing about the blogosphere – it’s the community that matters.

Elsewhere: Boynton.

Update: Lyn Calcutt at Public Opinion on the redistribution going on around the blogosphere.