Sinckler acknowledged that despite text book theorising on fiscal restraint, governments would have little or no choice but to "engage fiscal expansion if it is to have any hope of keeping the very fabric of its communities together". "The question, to my mind is not if it will be done, it is when, and to what extent. Even more importantly, at what time are we going to set a course to pull back from such necessary adventures," he said. Sinckler advised technocrats to see the recessionary period as an opportunity to forge a new platform for structural reform in the economy and not just settle for the small gains in an expanded GDP.