Weekly roundup Saturday 4 February
Good progress, but we need many more of these and lines to connect them up
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
Australian politics
In the coming New South Wales election Labor moves to the right of the Coalition. Human rights in Australia – good intentions but slow progress. Integrity in government – good intentions but slow progress. A report card on Australian democracy – we’ve slipped a few places. Problems with children in Alice Springs, Port Augusta, Townsville, Fitzroy Crossing – no easy solutions. The Productivity Commission confirms that teachers are overworked. A political history of Australia – anything but a stable two-party system.
Australia’s energy transition
On track but with the occasional detour. Losing faith in carbon offsets. In spite of fires and floods, Australians have poor knowledge of climate change. Why are electric vehicles in the slow lane? The protagonists in the war against renewable energy.
Other economics
Treasurer Chalmers has the radical idea that economics is about human well-being. The IMF’s update and a report on Australia – we’re doing well in comparison with other countries but we need tax reform. The Reserve Bank discovers Google.
Covid-19
No, it hasn’t gone away.
Public ideas
Strong democratic institutions are the best defence against the far right. How Americans gave strange meanings to “individualism” and “Christianity”.
A modest move for reconciliation
Daniel Barenboim and Beethoven working together for peace.
Links to sources of webinars, podcasts and readings
If you have comments, corrections, or links to other relent sources, I’d like to hear from you. Please send them to Ian McAuley — ian, at the domain name ianmcauley.com
