This Month
- Opinion
- Regulation
No Minister Jones. Big is good for consumers in the digital economy
The default idea that new regulation should aim at reducing the market shares of tech companies is old economy thinking.
- Opinion
- Economics explained
Why price discrimination can be a good thing
The online age may make it easier for companies to predict what we’re willing to pay. But it also makes it easier for us to share stories of nasty corporate behaviour.
November
- Opinion
- Superannuation
Unlisted assets mask awkward questions about super governance
We need to be sure that on valuations, trustees are not conducting some tick-a-box exercise and playing with the retirement savings of members.
- Opinion
- Economics explained
The economics behind ‘credible threats’
Good strategy involves knowing the game, including your opponents, and committing to a strategy.
- Opinion
- Federal election
Campaign finance laws could reduce not increase political competition
The community independents are right that this legislation is too important to be rushed through parliament in the final two sitting weeks.
- Opinion
- Company tax
An OECD global tax deal is close. Australia should jump on board
It wasn’t a good look for Australia to be on the world stage at last month’s IMF meetings as a noted holdout on a crucial international agreement.
- Opinion
- US Votes 2024
Trump’s win shows voters want lower prices at any cost
The hard truth for Labor is that inflation is kryptonite for centre-left governments, and Anthony Albanese’s record on prices is very similar to Joe Biden’s.
- Opinion
- Economics explained
How a 5¢ Tesla explains the problem with inflation
A fundamental economic truth explains ever-rising services inflation and why it’s a big problem for governments.
October
- Opinion
- Coronavirus pandemic
Overall, Australia’s COVID management was a huge success
Where we succeeded, it was the result of good institutions and good decision-making. But that’s not to say we didn’t stumble.
- Opinion
- Monetary policy
Why interest rates will not fall soon – or by much when they do
Rising demand for investment capital to fund things like the green revolution will keep the price of money higher than it was.
- Opinion
- Economics explained
The algorithm that decides what uni course you get
Year 12 students applying for university this year will be allocated to courses based on a famous algorithm called “deferred acceptance”.
- Opinion
- Global economy
As Nobel Prize winners prove, strong institutions are good for us
The 2024 gong in economic sciences went to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson. Their studies have vital lessons for today’s democracies.
- Opinion
- Economics explained
The best tips for investing in markets (from economists)
Buy stocks when prices are low compared to dividends, and sell them when prices are high compared to dividends. Simple, right? But there’s always room for ambiguity …
September
- Opinion
- Economics explained
The answer to our housing crisis is three letters: EBA
For all the focus on the illegal activities of the CFMEU, it’s their legal activities that have played a starring role in our housing affordability crisis.
How Australia crushed the COVID curve and lost the race
This country had one of the best-designed economic responses in the world, and one of the worst vaccine procurement processes.
- Opinion
- University
There is a much better way to fund universities’ R&D spend
The damage that international student caps would do to our sovereign research capability can be addressed by fully funding research overheads.
- Opinion
- Economics explained
Bank profits are the price of trust, and bitcoin proves it
One way to think about part of the profits that banks make is that it’s the cost of providing trust. But first you need to understand how blockchains work.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Why is the RBA acting scared of Jim Chalmers?
The governor and deputy governor’s dangerous signals of non-independence threaten the secret sauce of central banking.
- Opinion
- Childcare
The case for making childcare costs tax deductable
Government contributions will again increase demand without boosting supply. No wonder fees keep rising.
August
- Opinion
- Economics explained
The two words you should always treat with caution in business
Sentences which begin “Studies show...” are often followed by a description of a correlation interpreted as if it were a causal relationship - when it’s not.