This Month
Rate cuts not enough. Productivity roundtable must unleash ideas boom
As the Reserve Bank cuts rates, we should also cut political resistance to affordable, well-targeted ideas. The productivity roundtable must not be wasted.
May
Government must get productivity right this time
Bold reform comes with a heavy price tag and is harder when economic circumstances also command big spending
March
No time for political feuds over tax reform
Australia needs a better tax system to boost productivity and growth. Both major parties should be talking with urgency about their plans for reform.
February
No cash rate cut on Tuesday won’t be a middle finger to the markets
While the chances of a rate cut in February are very high, pausing a little longer would be a worthy reflection of the current uncertain environment.
October 2024
RBA’s take masks the risks posed by fragile consumers
The RBA’s latest financial stability review suggests businesses are holding up pretty well. But appearances can be deceiving.
May 2024
Tax inertia pushes budget towards a black hole
Redesigning the tax system against the principles of fairness, efficiency, sustainability and coherence would deliver us all with an economic dividend.
January 2024
How to get the truth from economic forecasting
Everybody wants to know if interest rates are going to come down this year. The best way to find out is by challenging economists’ assumptions.
December 2023
Fiscal policy must belatedly step up to inflation fight
Australia’s treasurers could do more to help the Reserve Bank to navigate the narrow path to a soft landing and reduce the need for further interest rate increases.
August 2023
Free trade is no longer risk-free in new world of de-globalisation
We can’t pretend national security risks and the need to reduce our carbon emissions don’t exist. But nor can this small, open economy give up on the free flow of goods, services, capital, technology, ideas, payments and people.
May 2023
Budget should be all about productivity
This structural budget deficit could be closed by reforms that enable governments and businesses to do more with less.
February 2023
Real interest rates must rise to finish the job
The Reserve Bank will have to go much harder to rein in inflation.