Weekly roundup Saturday 3 October
Do they really know what they’re doing?
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
There will be no roundup for the next few weeks. (No, I’m not going on a cruise!). The next roundup will be on Saturday 21 November, in time for what’s looking like a mini-budget at the end of the year.
Economics — fiscal stuff
Jim Chalmers’ magic $6 billion: we have a boringly conservative government running a balanced budget – those who accuse it of over-spending should come clean about the services they would cut.
Getting serious about tax: contrary to manipulated public opinion, Australia is a low-tax country and we should be realistic about the need to raise taxes.
Economics — monetary stuff
The Reserve Bank’s decision: monetary policy is supposed to stabilize the economy but the RBA’s obsession with the CPI is making for instability.
The 3.9 percent CPI: the effect of diesel and gasoline prices is clear, but most journalists have missed the fall in electricity prices.
Real economics
How Australians are travelling: the HILDA survey does not support the partisan idea that we have a widespread “cost of living crisis”, but it confirms that we have a worsening problem of intergenerational inequity.
The Coalition’s energy policy: a chainsaw to net zero, aimed at bringing back those who have strayed to One Nation.
The budget tax reforms: Tim Wilson and his mates want us to believe that the government raised taxes on investors, but in fact taxes for many investors have been lowered..
Public ideas
A western story: stop blaming the “left” for the west’s problems.
Trust: its contribution to productivity.
Public transport enhanced
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
