The net income deficit is also caused by structural factors. One structural problem is Australia’s high net foreign liabilities, and the servicing costs associated with those liabilities. It is no surprise that this figure has grown in line with Australia’s mounting borrowings from the rest of the world, both public and private. Property sector borrowings in particular have increased Australia’s foreign liabilities and servicing costs. High foreign liabilities has also risen due to persistent CADs, which require an inflow of foreign funds to match the deficit. This then increases the interest payments, or servicing cost, of that debt, thus exacerbating the CAD further. This is a self-perpetuating cycle called the ‘debt trap scenario’.
The second structural cause of Australia’s massive net income deficit is our lack of national savings, which means an inability to meet investment needs. If there is a public sector deficit (PSD), as there in Australia, this places even greater pressure on available savings. A PSD can lead to ‘crowding out’, whereby Australians are forced offshore to borrow necessary funds. Currently, as illustrated below, Australia’s investment level is 25%, while our savings level is 19%. The 6% gap between the two has to be funded by an inflow of funds from overseas, which must be matched by a 6% debit in net income on the current account.