There is something not quite right about the Federal Government's swag of goodies announced this week to stimulate spending and hopefully prevent a deep recession.

Sure, there are plenty of winners: Families with children, first-home buyers and pensioners.

It's the nature of the prize and its likely application that causes one to reflect on its value.

Most people who receive $1000 or more just before Christmas are likely to spend it on Christmas presents, home improvements or holidays.

The government knows this and seems to think it is a good thing. But is it?

Excessive consumption caused the high inflation and triggered rising interest rates, which caused much of the grief in the first place. The cycle is in danger of starting all over again.

That said, there is nothing wrong with the government using surplus funds to stimulate the economy.

The question however, is whether splurging on one-off grants to individuals is the best way to achieve the dual objectives of encouraging growth and restoring confidence.

The Rudd Government has become as obsessed as its Coalition predecessor on short-term programs to maximise political advantage.

A more visionary government would invest in public infrastructure to deliver long-term benefits for all Australians.

In this region, big-ticket items that would benefit from federal stimulus include highway upgrades, restoration of the rail network and a possible bypass of Penola and Coonawarra.

Such expenditure would benefit residents for the long term.

The winners from a December splurge will most likely be short-term gains only for individuals and retailers.