Weekly roundup Saturday 18 October
A good start but we ned much more
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
I am taking a one week break, back with the next roundup on November 1.
Our slow energy transition
Technology and prices: As the cost of electricity from PV panels and wind turbines has fallen, the cost of batteries has fallen even faster, resulting in changing investment patterns.
Renewable records: In Australia and worldwide, renewable sources for electrical power are nudging ahead of coal.
The case for a gas reservation policy: Ian Verrender describes one company’s disproportionate contribution to high gas prices, high electricity prices and inflation.
Queensland’s “energy roadmap”: It’s back to the Bjelke-Petersen era as the state chooses high electricity prices and slower progress to net zero, just to embarrass a Labor federal government.
The short story abuot our energy transition: Alan Kohler explains it in two minutes.
Other economcs
Economists’ trouble with inequality: Economists can’t handle questions about inequality, because it doesn’ fit into their neat abstract models.
Small business and business closures: Small business is sacred and business closures are bad. These two pieces of political wisdom make no economic sense.
Politics
Freedom of Information: The government’s planned changes to FOI laws look like a dirty deal to suit the two old parties – a move from opacity to darkness in government.
The Liberal Party’s factional squabbles: Lots of blame about their election loss and poor polling, but nothing serious about policies.
Politically active youth: Young people are taking to the streets and to the ballot box to vent their anger. In Australia it means the Greens, rather than the Liberal Party, have become the “opposition”.
Public ideas
Are business schools relevant? Thoughts on growth, degrowth and business schools.
Democracy in America: it’s in bad shape. How secure is our democracy in Australia?
Celebrating trains in music
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
