Weekly roundup Saturday 9 May
Changing colours for a budget
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
Economics
The budget: Don‘t pay too much attention to the operatic performance called “the budget”.
The Reserve Bank‘s silly decision: It‘s hard to imagine a clearer example of the economic dysfunction of monetary policy.
Politics
One Nation‘s seductive appeal: Political scientists find that the rising support for One Nation is something more than a protest vote.
One Nation‘s election tests: Three by-elections and a state election test theories about One Nation‘s appeal.
Press freedom: The world is becoming a less friendly place for good journalism, just when we need it the most.
A civilized political interview: A rare example of a political interview that‘s worth listening to.
How we live together
How migration has shaped our nation: Our native-immigrant population mix is reverting to its pattern in the energetic pre-federation period.
Our hot cities: Our cities are hot – literally.
Our social media ban: It‘s failing, because children are behaving like their parents.
The politics of sex and reproduction: The divisive politics of abortion and contraception have re-emerged, this time in the context of immigration.
Public ideas
How safe is Australian democracy?: Reasonably safe, for now.
On despots and despotism: Democracies can slide into despotism without anyone really noticing.
David Attenborough and Tasmania
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
