Weekly roundup Saturday 4 October
Australia’s radical experiment with democracy
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
Economics
Our innovation report card: We have a supportive economic structure and a well-educated workforce, but our corporate sector is technologically conservative.
GST and state finances: In a political deal Scott Morrison undermined one of the nation’s 90-year-old economic institutions, leaving the present government with a difficult repair job
Housing price inflation: We overlook the part played by historically low interest rates and our financial naivety as forces driving up house prices.
Politics
Andrew Hastie’s world: Hastie’s policy ideas resonate in his own electorate frozen in the 1960s, but not in Australia’s other 149 electorates
Robodebt‘s long tail of wreckage: It really was a terrible failure, and until it is resolved it will keep haunting our public life.
Public ideas
Rules for reformers: Three successful reformers share their learning about what makes for enduring political reform.
Democracy in Australia: Previewing this year’s Boyer Lectures Julia Baird reminds us that we have good reason to celebrate our “radical experiment” in democracy.
Why the populist right is surging in democracies: Martyn Goddard traces the origins of the discontent that right-wing populists draw on to energise their movements.
Holdin’ you in my Holden
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
