What was a notable consequence of the mining boom and the introduction of GST in the early 2000s?

The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the early 2000s, combined with the mining boom, had significant impacts on the Australian economy that contributed to contractionary policy measures. The mining boom led to increased economic activity and rising commodity prices, which generated substantial revenue for the government. However, the introduction of the GST, a broad-based tax on goods and services, was designed to streamline the tax system and improve efficiency.

Under these circumstances, while the mining boom initially stimulated economic growth, the introduction of the GST also brought about a temporary increase in the price level due to the tax being passed onto consumers. This could eventually lead the Reserve Bank of Australia to pursue contractionary policies to manage inflationary pressures that arose. These policies might include raising interest rates, which are typically used to control inflation when the economy is perceived to be overheating.

The dynamics of the mining boom and the GST therefore positioned policymakers to implement contractionary measures as a response to the potential overheating of the economy, characterized by rapid growth in certain sectors and rising price levels.