Housing
Can we fix housing?
Decades of policy decisions have strangled construction productivity, making housing increasingly unaffordable in Australia.
Latest
Monetary policy
Hot Take: A hawkish cut
The RBA has cautiously cut rates, but was it a mistake? Implications for the federal election and a warning from America.
Transport
Don't nationalise Rex, A blow for democracy, Will Trump tariff Australia, Beating megafires, and When billionaires feud
The Albanese government dropped a policy bomb on Sunday: a complete ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing established homes for two years. I would write something about it, but I already did when Dutton proposed the same policy a couple of weeks ago. TL;DR: it's
Transport
How to lose a state election
Western Australia's upcoming election promises bigger subsidies for roads and rail, but unchecked spending fuels congestion, rewards sprawl, and leaves taxpayers with the bill.
Food
Closing the gap by making it larger
Or how to hurt the very people you claim you're trying to help.
Inflation
Rate cuts may not help Albo, Cost of living still elevated, We need fiscal rules, and Australia doesn't deserve a sovereign wealth fund.
Sometime this week US President Trump is set to unveil reciprocal tariffs "that match the duties imposed by other countries". Australia has very few tariffs left these days and has had a trade agreement with the US since 2005, so presumably won't be targeted (the agricultural
Trade
The Mar-a-Lago Accord
Could a global currency accord be Trump's tariff end-game?
Trade
More on Trump's tariffs, Albo's upper class welfare, Dutton's housing gimmick, Canada's pain, Australia's challenges, and why are so many of us disabled
The fallout from the first Trump 2.0 tariffs has continued into the week, with the latest casualty (other than global equities) being the risky crypto that had been bid up on what was 'supposed' to be a market-friendly Trump government: Crypto and equities subsequently rebounded a little
Trade
Hot Take: The dumbest trade war in history
Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico are a case of self-flagellation—hurting consumers, exporters, and US credibility with no real gains.
Artificial intelligence
AI's Sputnik moment
Has DeepSeek ignited an AI arms race that will reshape productivity and investment worldwide?
Inflation
Hot Take: Rate cuts are coming soon
The December quarter CPI inflation data were softer than expected.
Industrial policy
Albanese's future, making housing less affordable, King Dollar, the demise of Britain, and there is no AI moat
An Australia-wide long weekend kicks off tomorrow, and between the Perth Rugby Sevens tournament and Australia Day festivities I'm not going to have all that much time for the usual reading and writing. So the next time you'll hear from me will probably be in the