Environment
Bowen's proposed vehicle emission rules rely on dodgy assumptions, restrict choice and raise prices while overstating the savings. On the list of things to do about carbon emissions and the cost of living, they are one of the most costly, inefficient options available.
News
Are you being underpaid, how should we best mitigate carbon emissions (and how two prominent government advisors got it so wrong), why we shouldn't bail out the nickel industry, and what's the most important stock on Earth?
Monetary policy
My recent FOI showed that the RBA Board was warned about the risks of QE but appeared to ignore those concerns, ultimately leading to huge losses with minimal benefits. The fiscal cost alone looks to be well over $50 billion, or more than $5,500 per household – a massive policy blunder.
Entertainment
Taylor Swift is in town, and so is government spin about the huge economic benefits she brings. But once you account for leakages and opportunity costs, the net impacts are probably negative. Enjoy the show, but don't buy the hype!
News
Here are a few short takes for you to chew over on the weekend, from the week's happenings that probably didn't need a full post. 1. Stepped on by stamp duty Move over income tax, because the always-interesting folks at the e61 Institute released a note
Growth
Japan's "lost decades" of low growth are due to its declining working-age population, not necessarily failed policies. With aging populations, policymakers in developed nations such as Australia will need to focus on right metrics, not just GDP growth, to craft effective policies.
Population
Dick Smith wants to cap Australia's population at 30 million over concerns about a lack of resources and housing costs. In doing so he falls for the 'lump of labour' fallacy, and fails Econ 101: it's poor planning, not immigrants, that erodes housing affordability in Australia.
News
Here are a few short takes for you to chew over on the weekend, from the week's happenings that probably didn't need a full post. 1. Confusing cause with effect Former chair of the ACCC, Allan Fels, released his much anticipated report into "price gouging
Tax
We desperately need tax reform in this country and fixing bracket creep for good would be an excellent feather for Chalmers to put in his rather empty reformist cap.
Monetary policy
Queensland's Premier Steven Miles appears to be out of his depth. Last week he called for RBA rate cuts, and announced reviews into supermarket pricing and homelessness. On Sunday he released a rental package that risks making the situation worse.
News
Here are a few short takes for you to chew over on the weekend, from the week's happenings that probably didn't need a full post. 1. Boeing's cycle of misery You may have seen or read about the issues Boeing's commercial aircraft
Housing
NSW, WA and SA have all announced steps that will increase housing supply. But to improve housing affordability for good, we need to ensure it's politically sustainable. That means communicating with locals and lifting density across entire cities, not just in 'well-located' areas.