August
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Why you should hear out Andrew Hauser
The recessionistas out there should be listening to the RBA deputy governor’s warnings against overconfidence in predicting the economy.
- Opinion
- China relations
High-level dialogue shows China chill is ending
The resumed annual face-to-face meeting of government and industry has been crucial to stabilising the relationship.
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
RBA must say no to the Recessionistas out there
The Reserve Bank is taking its dual mandate seriously and seems to be ignoring the incessant clamouring for another rise in the cash rate.
July
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Albanese can’t afford distractions now
The prime minister has to shrug off culture wars and Green taunts to focus relentlessly on an improving economy.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Economic logic always trumps junk politics
Brexit, MAGA trade policies, and the Coalition’s nuclear power push will fail because they make no economic sense.
June
- Opinion
- Supermarket inquiry
Why this is a practical, workable supermarket code of conduct
The new code offers the best of both a mandatory and voluntary system of compliance for the supermarket giants.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Recessions are nasty and shouldn’t be engineered to tame inflation
Talk of a need to increase the cash rate is misguided – especially so when the main culprits behind the 3.6 per cent inflation rate are identified.
May
- Opinion
- Australian economy
We must protect Australia’s free and open economy
Australia prospered in an open postwar world economy. But a new generation has less faith in it.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Gas critics are signing up for coal and candles
The climate movement needs to ask itself what is worse: gas in the new energy mix, or coal that lingers for longer.
April
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
RBA must ignore the band of economists pushing a rate rise
The Reserve Bank should not be firing up its interest rate models on the strength of inflation that is now steadily dropping into target range.
- Opinion
- Supermarkets
Compulsory grocery code strikes right balance
The interim report seeks to prevent big supermarkets from abusing their market power while rejecting populist policies such as forced divestiture of stores.
March
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Dutton’s nuclear plan is all politics
The opposition is more interested in keeping the Nationals in the tent than carbon emissions at bay.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Dunkley sets up Labor’s 2025 win
While the Liberals look down rabbit holes like crime and refugees, Labor plans to claim vindication on economic policy.
February
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Why it’s vital that the RBA cuts rates at mid-year
The central bank is at great risk of overshooting its policy settings into higher unemployment and it is workers and small business who will cop it.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Liberals don’t want real tax reform
Except for Malcolm Turnbull, Liberal leaders have always scuppered tax overhauls that did not suit the direct interests of them and their outriders.
January
- Opinion
- Supermarkets
In the shopping trolley war, the supermarkets have to give
Suppliers can get paid more, and shoppers pay less. But only if supermarket giants are forced to compete more.
- Opinion
- Political leadership
How Albanese can rebuild from here
The Labor government ran into headwinds during 2023. But is the political breeze about to shift in its direction?
- Updated
December 2023
- Opinion
- Energy transition
Energy transition needs gas, not nuclear
A rational decarbonising energy policy offers a middle path between the absolutists and the denialists.
November 2023
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Who killed neoliberalism?
Neoliberalist theory and practice went so horribly wrong because governments that put their faith in markets forgot one word – competition.
- Opinion
- Globalisation
Simplifying APEC trade is even better than cutting tariffs
Streamlining clunky customs and quarantine procedures would have an outsize impact on the regional economy.