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Judith SloanContributing Economics Editor

Judith Sloan is an economist and company director. She holds degrees from the University of Melbourne and the London School of Economics. She has held a number of government appointments, including Commissioner of the Productivity Commission; Commissioner of the Australian Fair Pay Commission; and Deputy Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA- NewsWire Photos MAY 19, 2025: Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes (pictured) at the new Parkville train station ahead of tomorowÃs budget. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

Victorian budget: Lies, damn lies and false freebies

If there was a year in which the Victorian government might warn citizens of the dire state of the budget and the need for cuts and sacrifices, this was the year.

Judith Sloan

commentaryCommentary

A crime scene has been established after a High Street, Preston tobacco shop was ravaged by flames overnight. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Poor policy proves clause for concern

The federal government’s effort to control smoking through a higher excise on tobacco is a case study in badly designed policy.

Judith Sloan

INQUIRERInquirer

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. APRIL 30, 2025: Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

So, how do you solve a problem like productivity?

Make it easier for business to invest according to consumer preference, not government dictate.

Judith Sloan

commentaryCommentary

Childcare assistance is among the top 20 largest-spending programs.

Beware super tax grab as PM seeks to fund his childcare legacy

Anthony Albanese wants to be remembered as the prime minister who introduced universal childcare. The only problem is, how to pay for it when government debt is already at a record high?

Judith Sloan

commentaryCommentary

Former coalition treasurer Peter Costello, and former Liberal and opposition leader Peter Dutton

To win economic debate, Libs must pitch moral case

Any claim the Coalition could make to being the more responsible budget manager went up in a puff of smoke. There was never any chance of making the moral case that debt and deficits matter.

Judith Sloan

commentaryCommentary

CARRICK, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton meets young locals during a visit to Agfest in the electorate of Lyons on May 01, 2025 in Carrick, Australia. Australia will hold a federal election on May 3. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Policy prowess? Both major parties deserve the wooden spoon

In this campaign, both sides of politics have given us a policy muddle rather than clear economic objectives

Judith Sloan

COMMENTARYPolitics

27 March 2025; A photo comp of Peter Dutton for the 2025 Federal Election. Artwork by Emilia Tortorella. Sources: supplied and iStock. Ratio 4:3.

Coalition costings: Is this a joke? Am I being pranked?

If the Coalition is claiming to be the superior budget manager, these figures are a poor start. In fact, they underline an unwillingness to confront the real fiscal challenges ahead of us; the fact is we are spending far too much.

Judith Sloan

commentaryPolitics

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION BUS. 29/04/2025 Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suburb of Stones Corner in Brisbane in the electorate of Griffith. visit a soon to be completed housing project that will deliver 82 new social and affordable homesWith Labor Candidate for Griffith, Renee CoffeyTreasurer, Jim ChalmersHealth Minister, Mark ButlerPicture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

PM doesn’t have the faintest clue of credit-rating peril

The net effect of a AAA downgrade – and this is the big story – is that interest rates would be higher for longer for governments, businesses and households if Australia’s credit rating is downgraded.

Judith Sloan

commentaryCommentary

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION Labor BUS. DAY 4 01/04/2025 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail In South Australia. Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Flinders Medical Centre in the Adelaide suburb of Bedford Park. This is in the electorate of Boothby, held by the Labor MP Louise Miller-Frost. The Prime Minister will be joined by:SA Premier - Premier Peter MalinauskasHealth Minister - Minister Mark ButlerLabor Senator for SA - Minister Penny WongMember for Kingston - Minister Amanda Rishworth (blue jacket)SA Health Minister - Minister Chris Picton Labor Member for Boothby - Louise Miller-Frost ((orang blazer)VC of Flinders University - Professor Colin StirlingPicture: NewsWire/ Jason Edwards

New era of retail politics has put policy skill to the sword

We would be better served by having a prime minister with a real nose for policy.

Judith Sloan

commentaryCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - February 26 2025: Senator Jane Hume during the additional Budget Estimates 2024-25 Economics Legislation Committee at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Bungled WFH debate one of the big missed opportunities

Personally, I’m a big fan of WFH. But even if the technology had been available, I can’t imagine working from home early in my working life. I needed to be around my colleagues, to work in teams, to seek feedback.

Judith Sloan

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/judith-sloan