Yesterday
There is no cunning theory behind Trump’s tariff plan
The White House cited my classmate’s economic research to justify its reciprocal tariffs – it got the maths wrong. But it gets worse.
This Month
Libs and Labor election agendas not fit for Trump’s new trade world
Now, more than ever, we need leaders capable of acting in the national interest rather than in favour of sectional interests.
March
Chalmers is wrong. The worst is not behind us, it is yet to come
Not only are there no plans to increase productivity and hence living standards, the budget actively makes this harder.
Trump could target our healthcare system next. We don’t need to panic
If there are retaliatory tariffs because of standing up for our PBS jewel, so be it. That would be unfortunate and unfair, but Australia can weather it.
If Musk aims to save trillions, he’s doing it wrong: Yellen
America’s former Treasury secretary Janet Yellen speaks candidly about Trump, getting DOGED, choosing economics and why she’s an inveterate planner.
Productivity problem empowers populist right
We had better get our act together in Australia or we may court the kind of poisonous politics wreaking havoc in the United States and across Europe.
Budget is not in shape for age of uncertainty
Australia’s fiscal position is anything but healthy. If we don’t take serious action soon we will be unable to respond to global shocks – which are not exactly out of the question.
February
Bullock and the board playing dice with Australia’s economy
The Australian public needs more than a good luck charm to finally tame inflation and our ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Ross Gittins’ rebuke of economics today is wrong, silly and offensive
Ross Gittins is a legend of Australian journalism. But his column on Monday was a shocker. I guess even legends can be wrong.
How Australia’s gas boom turned into a nightmare
Our nation exports gas – but now we’re paying the price as a result of a huge and entirely predictable bipartisan policy failure.
January
Albanese must learn from these 3 mistakes of Bidenomics
If the prime minister doesn’t change his approach quickly he will face the same fate as the outgoing US president. Booted out of office, and with a legacy he’ll regret.
Reserve Bank should not bow to political pressure for February rate cut
Giving in to the pile-on by Labor-aligned commentators calling for cuts would be a bad look and would damage the central bank’s credibility.
No Christmas rate cut because Chalmers fought economic laws and lost
The treasurer made a bet he could spend expansively but still see multiple interest-rate cuts from the Reserve Bank before the next election.
December 2024
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.
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 2024
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.
The economics behind ‘credible threats’
Good strategy involves knowing the game, including your opponents, and committing to a strategy.
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.
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.
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.