Weekly roundup Saturday 29 March
Long nights in Canberra
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
The budget
It’s about right for our present economic conditions: it’s conservative and cautious, prepared with a concern to prevent a resurgence of inflation. The tax cuts are more meaningful than they look, and the budget has given Angus Taylor an opportunity to spruik novel economic theories. Dutton’s weird and wonderful economics: his excise cut comes close to peak populism.
Energy policy
The government is on a path to low cost, reliable, low-emissions energy; the Coalition is out to wreck that policy, whatever the cost. We must stop silly talk about bills and start talking seriously about prices
Other economics
A beginner’s guide to cutting the public service. In the middle of budget talk the ABS finds inflation is down even further. . How the ACCC has missed the main point about supermarkets, and about economic policy in general. More on privatizations—it has gone far too far when we privatize elections. Economic and social trends you may not have noticed.
Other politics
What polls don’t tell us about independents – be prepared for some surprises. An international survey reveals why Australians are becoming grumpier.
Public ideas
Tuesday March 18 – a day to remember. Turning out the lights on civilization.
Eid Mubarak!
If you have comments, corrections, or links to other relevant sources, I’d like to hear from you. Please send them to Ian McAuley — ian, at the domain name ianmcauley.com
