Economic Policies
The Nobel Prize winning economist James Tobin once said that the study of economics “offered the hope, as it still does, that improved understanding could better the lot of mankind”. One of the ways in which it does this is through the implementation of economic policy that helps to ameliorate boom-and-bust cycles, reduces unemployment, contains inflation or lifts people’s living standards in sustainable ways.
Submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into The Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far (aka “the WA GST deal”).
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 5th January 2026The Productivity Commission has been asked to inquire into what I’ve called The Worst (Australian) Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far – namely, the Orwellianly-titled Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Every State and Territory Gets Their Fair Share of GST) Act 2018, legislated by the Morrison Government (with the support of the […]
The Australian Economy in 2025-26: Presentation to Economics Teachers
Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 24th November 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to the Victorian Commercial Teachers’ Association “CommView 2025” conference in Melbourne on 25th November 2025. In addition to discussing various aspects of the Australian economy in 2025-26 it also looks at: the very different implications for Australia, compared with other ‘advanced’ economies, of the rapid growth and industrialization of China over the […]
Tasmania’s “Interim” 2025-26 Budget – An Opportunity Missed to Start the Task of Budget Repair
Economic Policies, Tasmania | 6th November 2025My take on today’s Tasmanian “interim” 2025-26 Budget presented by Treasurer Eric Abetz. I see it as a missed opportunity to ‘get on’ with the task of ‘budget repair’, which as the Tasmanian Treasury has been pointing out since 2019, only gets harder the longer it is put off.
Inside the WA GST:
The Worst Public Policy of the 21st Century
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, News, Recent Media Interview | 4th November 2025
Saul Eslake talks to the host of ABC Radio National’s Breakfast program, Sally Sara, about the Western Australian Government’s campaign to defend what Saul calls “the Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far”, the undermining of the long-standing principles governing the distribution of revenue from the GST to the states and territories at the behest of Australia’s richest state, WA, at a cost to the Federal Budget of $60 billion over eleven years.
Global Megatrends, the Australian Economy and Residential Property Markets
Economic Policies, Globalization, The Australian Economy, The Global Economy | 31st October 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to a luncheon hosted by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Western Australian Division) at Crown Perth on 31st October 2025.
Revenue-raising and tax reform
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Taxation, The Australian Economy | 29th October 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to the Australia Institute’s “Revenue Summit” held at Parliament House, Canberra, on 29th October 2025
Albanese Government’s extension of the 5% deposit scheme
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Housing, News, Recent Media Interview | 8th October 2025Saul talks to Solstice Media’s 7am podcast, hosted by Daniel James, about the Albanese Government’s extension of the 5% deposit scheme for first home buyers, and why governments of all political persuasions continue to implement policies which serve only to make housing more expensive, despite their professed concerns for the difficulties faced by aspiring first-home buyers.
WA GST deal adds $6bn to federal budget deficit
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, News | 3rd October 2025The Australian also has a good article by Paul Garvey (who, it’s worth noting, is based in Perth) about the WA GST deal on 1st October 2025