Weekly roundup Saturday 19 April
Another fistful of dollars campaign
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
Those campaign launches
No one seems to be particularly turned-on by the two old parties’ housing policies: they’re too demand-side oriented. On tax and excise the Coalition is repeating history – a re-run of John Howard’s 2007 “fistful of dollars” pitch.
Other politics
The Albanese-Dutton debate: it won’t change many people’s votes. Ross Gittins calls this one of the worst campaigns he has seen, as politics becomes more professionalized and dismally predictable. Stuff we’re ducking in the campaign – increasing tax, dealing with climate change seriously, sorting out hospital funding, dealing with our poor productivity, reforming gambling laws. More insight into Trump: he doesn’t understand systems. A journalist is shocked to find a politician who talks about public policy.
Economics
The economic debate we didn’t have. Treasury’s forecast of the effects of Trump’s tariffs: she’ll be right mate. Trashing the Greenback – accidental or deliberate? The pros and cons (mainly cons) of house price inflation. How e61 found an objective indicator of financial stress.
Polls
Opinion polls continue to move in Labor’s direction – back to the 2022 outcomes. Our responses to the parties’ tax and housing proposals – we don’t see much difference, but we have more faith that Labor will deliver. The Essential poll reveals weird political attitudes and beliefs, but places Labor a nose in front in terms of attending to people’s interests. Another poll exposes the political help Trump has given to Labor. The Lowy Institute poll looks at our trust in the US and our belief about whether Albanese or Dutton is better placed to handle foreign relations.
Public ideas
On public service and public servants. On leadership, not to be confused with the “leader” who offers simple solutions to difficult problems.
Ennio Morricone on the Australian election campaign
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
