Weekly roundup Saturday 28 September
Oreo cookies and the public purpose
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
The Reserve Bank, inflation, and all that stuff
What is the RBA’s concern – people or some arbitrary number? Latest ABS figures show our inflation is dangerously low. The politics of interest rates: a Greens-Coalition alliance is determined to inflict political damage on the government. Recessions and inflation explained: they’re not as well-defined as journalists and RBA governors suggest.
Australia’s energy transition
Global emissions are peaking: so who wants new sources of gas and coal? Dutton’s nuclear plan is a sound one, provided we ignore the cost and five other engineering and economic problems. A Nobel Prize-winning economist has trouble understanding why we’re giving free gas to foreigners. The case for more rooftop solar – particularly for small business.
Other economics
What is the price of Oreo cookies at your local supermarket? Economics is dominated by blokes who went to private schools – a little diversity please. Did you know that the Productivity Commission is 103 years old, but is still capable of re-shaping itself? Working from home – a permanent shift? Stop grizzling about taxes: Australia has the lowest taxes of all high-income countries. When you buy a Ferrari remember to set aside $2.3 million for rego.
Politics
Robodebt and its consequences – or its lack of consequences: has the government passed up an opportunity for public service reform? Opinion polls provide no comfort for the old parties, a classification that now includes the Greens.
Public ideas
A good idea from the Greens on taxation. How to change people’s political beliefs.
The 2024 Ig Nobel Prizes
Australia is badly under-represented.
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
