October 2024
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Australia is in the eye of an economic storm
The only course out of it is to raise the productive capacity of the economy, as we have done before. Stimulus policies have not worked.
March 2024
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Why an RBA board spill is a red line on independence
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ refusal to negotiate on the RBA board shows he is looking for a revolution, not evolution, in the running of the central bank.
May 2023
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Chalmers has no more cash to splash
Instead of talking down the strong economy and bottomline inherited from the Coalition, the treasurer needs to hold his nerve against the Labor left and focus on bringing the budget to balance.
December 2022
- Opinion
- Energy
Even tin-pot autocrats wouldn’t cap gas profits
Gough Whitlam sought to go down the same path in the 1970s. Labor’s plan risks history repeating itself with Australian households and businesses paying the price.
March 2022
- Opinion
- Renewables
Neglecting energy security is a recipe for economic devastation
Any failure to get the balance right between short-term realities and longer-term goals leaves economies vulnerable to shocks.
- Opinion
- Energy prices
Labor’s power grid gold-plating is a rewiring tax on consumers
Labor’s plan to build non-priority transmission projects will mean higher electricity bills locked in for decades.
January 2022
- Opinion
- Hydrogen
Australia’s clean hydrogen industry has started sailing into the future
The milestone shipment will prove the viability of the world’s first liquefied hydrogen energy supply chain right here at home.
November 2021
- Opinion
- Climate policy
Carbon taxes, real or false, are not going to get the job done
The idea is to cut the cost of clean energy, not make everything else more expensive. There are global breakthroughs when the challenge of unique national circumstances is acknowledged.
September 2021
- Opinion
- Renewables
Dispatchable capacity is important while technologies evolve
On-demand generation, like gas, pumped hydro and batteries, is needed to back up renewables and level out volatility.
March 2021
- Opinion
- Renewables
We need a balance of technologies
Australia has the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the world and in the last two years, we have seen record investments in solar and wind.
September 2020
- Opinion
- Gas
New gas age is coming, but it will need hard work
State agreements and LNG exports from the United States have transformed the potential for gas as both fuel and as an industrial input. But there is still some irrational opposition.
February 2020
- Opinion
- Emissions
Yes, we have the tech to cut emissions to 2030 and beyond
More gas and more tech — not taxation — is the way to support cheaper and low emission climate solutions without damaging the economy.
October 2019
- Opinion
- Energy & Climate Summit
Keeping the lights on and prices down after sunset
The market must take on the challenge of balancing investment in renewables with attracting and retaining reliable electricity supply.
September 2019
- Opinion
- Energy security
Why a 'big stick' is the only way to tame power prices
Consumer trust is more important than worries about industry intervention. But the need for drastic policy is only temporary.