A dreadful symmetry between the Black Saturday bushfires and the 2008 global financial crisis that continues to define us reveals a failure of thinking. In 2023, Australia can do more than just hope for the best.
China, Russia and Covid will influence the economy, but a platform of low unemployment and boosted wages should see Australia through the darkest days.
We have exactly what the world needs, exactly when the world needs it. Critical minerals could be the opportunity of the century.
Australians know there’s no switch we can flick to make our challenges disappear.
Statistics showing there are more people in work than ever before don’t mean a whole lot if jobs aren’t spreading to places like Logan, Lismore or Launceston.
We are going through the budget line by line to see whether wasted and rorted dollars can be directed towards responsible investments in people and their economy.
Morrison’s record is higher taxes and staggering debt.
The time for taking lectures from Liberals and Nationals on responsible economic management is well and truly over.
The middle class is getting smaller, older, poorer, less mobile, more difficult to get into, and harder to stay in. This is the broken bargain between leaders and led.
I refuse to believe that Australia has peaked.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/jim-chalmers/page/3