Australian Society and Politics
You can’t think (or write, or speak) about an economy without also having a sense of the broader social and economic framework in which it operates. I try very hard to avoid partisan political commentary, but I do sometimes feel moved to write or talk about social or political developments.
‘Super for housing’ is a souped-up first home owners grants scheme – and it won’t help any more than first home owners grants have
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Housing | 24th September 2024The Hobart Mercury published an op-ed article on 24th September about the Liberal-National Coalition’s proposal to allow people to withdraw funds from their superannuation (retirement income) savings accounts in order to assist with the purchase of a first home.
‘Super for Housing’ – a Thoroughly Bad Idea
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Housing, The Australian Economy, Topics | 19th September 2024Saul’s analysis of the Liberal-National Coalition’s proposal to allow people to withdraw up to 40% of their superannnuation savings (up to a maximum of $100,000) in order to purchase a first home (subject to a requirement that the amount withdrawn be re-invested in superannuation when that home is sold), commissioned by the Super Members’ Council, published […]
Solutions to Australia’s Housing Crisis
Australian Society and Politics, Housing, News, Recent Media Interview | 11th September 2024Saul Eslake spoke to ABC Radio Brisbane’s Afternoons presenter Kate Feeney about solutions to Australia’s housing crisis on 10th September 2024
Tasmania’s State Finances – presentation to the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s Annual Conference
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Tasmania | 4th September 2024Saul’s presentation to the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s Annual Conference in Hobart on 4th September (with some concluding observations on the initial responses of Tasmania’s major political parties to the Independent Review of Tasmania’s State Finances presented on 19th August).
A ‘security blanket’ for Australian manufacturing
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, News, Security, The Australian Economy | 26th August 2024Saul Eslake: The Albanese Government’s signature ‘Future Made in Australia’ has a good part, which is about the transition to net zero, and a not-so-good part, which reeks of ‘manufacturing fetishism’ and an obsession with ‘security’ at the expense of other objectives.
Australian Financial Review magazine feature on ‘The Worst (Australian) Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far’
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, News, The Australian Economy | 24th July 2024The July 2024 edition of the Australian Financial Review‘s monthly magazine includes a feature article by Myriam Robin, editor of the ‘Rear Window’ column, on my ‘one-man mission’ (as she calls it) to undo what I’ve called ‘the Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far’, namely, the ‘deal’ (originally ‘done by the Morrison […]
The pros and cons of cutting immigration
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview, The Australian Economy | 7th June 2024In the first week of June 2024, Saul Eslake spoke with the host of the ABC’s “News Daily” podcast, Samantha Hawley, about the pros and cons of proposals which have been made by both the Labor Government and the Liberal-National Opposition to cut Australia’s immigration intake (the latter by a lot more than the former).
The 2024-25 Australian Government Budget – An Assessment
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 15th May 2024Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers presented his third budget to the Australian Parliament on Tuesday 14th May. Here’s my assessment – there are some things to like about it (such as the cost-of-living relief), and some things to be skeptical about (such as many, though not all, of the things being funded under the ‘Future Made […]