Essays

A collection of long-form economic essays.

2024
There's a lot to like about Denmark's approach to mortgages, but transplanting it to Australia may not be optimal given our existing regulatory framework and housing policies.
While Vienna's social housing model is often praised as a solution to housing affordability issues, its applicability to Australia is questionable due to differences in our institutions, as well as potential drawbacks in the Viennese system itself.
Is an incapacitated Joe Biden still better than the alternative; why politicians lying to people can be dangerous; the diminishing returns to AI (implications for investors); gig workers meet unintended consequences; and Fahrenheit 451 down under.
It's probably too late in the cycle to hike rates any further when what's desperately needed is tax, spending and regulatory reform.
Despite its proximity to the US and abundant natural resources, Canada's economy is hampered by inter-provincial trade barriers, powerful domestic cartels, and declining productivity, leaving it vulnerable to global trade tensions.
Which parts of Australia are the most (and least) productive; why rate cuts are a long way away; immigration and success; woke AI is pretty boring; and neoliberalism is a victim of its own success (but beware what comes next).
Ed Husic's call for genuine corporate tax reform could boost investment, raise wages, and drive economic growth. But do we have the political willpower to get it done?
Apple has joined the AI race by adding ChatGPT to every iPhone, bringing privacy and security concerns to the forefront; how should governments regulate this rapidly evolving technology without stifling innovation?
Queensland's Budget shows why we need fiscal rules; how households have fared since the pandemic; dictators and their hidden wealth; what Bootleggers and Baptists mean for climate targets; and Europe swings to the right (or did it?).
A more forceful, top-down approach might be the solution to Australia's housing crisis.