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.
Negative Gearing
Economic Policies, Housing, News, Recent Media Interview, Taxation | 26th September 2024Saul talks to ABC News Channel’s “Afternoon Briefing” presenter Greg Jennett about reports that the Albanese Government may be thinking about changes to negative gearing and/or the capital gains tax discount, and what such changes might mean for housing affordability.
Will Anthony Albanese succeed where Bill Shorten failed in making changes to the taxation treatment of property investment?
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Housing, Taxation | 26th September 2024Article published by Pearls and Irritations on 26th September 2024, revisiting the arguments for winding backk ‘negative gearing’ and the capital gains tax discount, in the light of press reports suggesting that the Albanese Governmnt has asked Treasury to consider options for reform.
‘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savings (up to a maximum of $100,000) in order to purchase a first home (subject to a requirement that the amount withdrawn be re-invested in superannuation when that home is sold), commissioned by the Super Members’ Council, published […]
What’s happening in the economy – nationally and in Tasmania
Economic Policies, Tasmania, The Australian Economy | 13th September 2024Saul’s presentation to the Governance Institute of Australia’s Tasmanian Governance Forum on 13th September 2024, providing some perspectives on recent developments in the Australian economy and the outlook for interest rates – and also the Tasmanian economy, the Independent Review of Tasmania’s State Finances and the 2024-25 Budget presented the day before.
Tasmania’s 2024-25 State Budget – an Assessment
Economic Policies, Tasmania | 12th September 2024Saul’s ‘take’ on the 2024-25 Tasmanian Budget, presented by Treasurer Michael Ferguson on 12th September 2024. In a nutshell, the Government has left the task of returning Tasmania’s public finances to a sustainable position to another day – or to another government.
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).
All about inflation
Economic Policies, News, Recent Media Interview, The Australian Economy | 31st August 2024Saul Eslake: Australia’s recent inflation experience, what caused it, and how the Government and the Reserve Bank are responding to it