This Month
- Opinion
- Big four
A levy to help rural banking is also a tax on innovation
The quest to leave no one behind in the regions cannot come at the expense of working households in the outer suburbs and elsewhere.
- Alexander Sanchez
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why our top corporate regulator wants less regulation
ASIC chairman Joe Longo says complex regulation is hurting businesses, consumers and the regulator’s work. It’s another window into Australia’s productivity problem.
- James Thomson
Chalmers sets up $900m productivity fund
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ new fund will offer incentive payments to streamline building approvals and enact other pro-productivity reforms
- John Kehoe
October
- Opinion
- Climate policy
It’s critical that Australia gets to net zero at the lowest cost
Climate and energy policy is no longer the hodgepodge of the past. But it will need to take a more market-driven approach.
- Barry Sterland
- Opinion
- Australian economy
How do we get back a lost decade of living standards?
Cracking the housing problem and empowering our economic institutions are two very good places to start.
- Chris Richardson
Flat-fee childcare to spearhead PM’s second-term agenda
The government is working on plans to phase in a flat daily fee for childcare as it seeks a breakout issue to help secure a second term.
- Phillip Coorey
- Analysis
- Government Observed
From small budget changes, big things grow
Minor technical tweaks by government can drive big changes. Including the economic benefits of First Nations culture into NSW budgeting is a game-changer.
- Tom Burton
- Analysis
- Government Observed
Why measuring public sector productivity is so slippery
When Productivity Commission researchers examined past assessments of the health system’s productivity earlier this year, they were pleasantly surprised.
- Tom Burton
September
‘Propping up a failed system’: Labor looks beyond PC on childcare
The Productivity Commission’s childcare proposal has raised questions of affordability, the removal of the activity test, and adding more subsidies onto a failed model.
- Phillip Coorey and Julie Hare
- Opinion
- The AFR View
The economic case for higher childcare spending should stack up
Simply throwing more money at the system doesn’t seem to be the answer for cheaper childcare or increasing women’s participation in the workforce.
- The AFR View
Review urges free childcare for some at $5b-a-year cost
The Productivity Commission has rejected Labor’s goal of universal childcare, but still wants the country’s poorest families to get three days a week for free.
- Julie Hare
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Economists have lost their power. Here’s how to fix it
Economists can be a necessary “pain in the arse” in public debates. But policymakers have stopped listening, and the influence of the profession depends on providing practical advice.
- Danielle Wood
- Opinion
- Opinion
Industry policies can work if we carefully weigh the risks
There can be compelling reasons for governments to intervene with subsidies and other favours. But they can never be allowed to become blank cheques.
- Danielle Wood
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Chalmers must back the central bank he shaped
The RBA cannot fix inflation as fast as a now big-spending government wants. But the treasurer must be wary of damage to the central bank’s credibility.
- The AFR View
- Analysis
- Government Observed
How to unlock the productivity power of a forgotten sector
There is a renewed push to get better value from the vast array of government services that make up around 20 per cent of the economy.
- Tom Burton
August
PM’s $1.5b solar and battery plan needs review: PC
The Productivity Commission has urged Labor to assess if the subsidies are in the national interest, as energy expert Tony Wood said it was ‘nonsensical’ to compete against China.
- Michael Read
- Exclusive
- Environmental protection
‘Circular economy’ to be examined by Productivity Commission
The government has asked its economic adviser to explore ways to cut waste going to landfill and encourage the more efficient use of raw materials.
- James Eyers
Vice chancellors feel the political heat
Universities say they are in crisis after Labor’s cap on overseas students, but the education minister says his priority is getting more equity students into the system.
- Jennifer Hewett
Industrial laws stifle private sector collaboration
Industrial relations laws are stopping universities better collaborating with private experts, says Macquarie Uni’s vice chancellor.
- Tom Burton
- Opinion
- Energy transition
Fixing the electricity market for good
The Productivity Commission looks set to review the 1990s-era electricity market design. The key will be making sure that governments stick to an agreed fix.
- Tony Wood