Weekly roundup Saturday 22 February
A lifeline for our steel industry (Whyalla)
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
Politics
The Labor-Coalition dirty deal to preserve their duopoly. A scary YouGov poll. What the next Parliament could look like (don’t believe anyone who makes a clear prediction).
The public sector, guardian of our common wealth
Polling on what we want from government – we want more public services but we want someone else to pay tax. Dutton’s DOGE: it has nothing to do with efficiency; rather it’s about trashing our common wealth. A task for our enfeebled anti-corruption commission – following up on Robodebt. A survey finds schoolkids could do better in their knowledge of civics and citizenship, but they are well ahead of Dutton.
Economics
Comments on the Reserve Bank’s predictable decision, including ridiculous statements from Angus Taylor. Whyalla rescued. Real wages are rising, slowly but solidly. Voters seem to be well aware of the government’s main economic achievements but may be less aware of the Coalition’s proud record. People think Australia is on the wrong track, but the Coalition’s MAMA (Make Australia Mediocre Again) looks unattractive. Understanding productivity – it isn’t as simple as it looks. How we still rely on a cottage industry to build our houses. A study on fare evasion has messages for governments providing services.
Public ideas
How we became the “Commonwealth” of Australia – very republican! How Australian democracy developed. Regime change in the USA – it’s serious. A historical perspective on our “cost-of-living crisis”.
Gaza-a-Lago
Is there any limit to the right’s idiocy?
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
