No doubt many of you are still enjoying a long Easter/ANZAC Day break, but for those of you pining for some economic news, here are a few bits of interest that caught my eye this week—starting with my comprehensive essay on Peter Dutton. Peter Dutton is a man
Peter Dutton's constant backflips reveal a politician adrift, lacking both vision and the resolve to differentiate himself from Anthony Albanese.
This is the first of what I intend to become a regular Oz Econ Pulse, a free roundup of the economic, political, and social trends that impact Australia. Normally I'd send it out on a Friday or Saturday but with the Easter break this is a short week,
Once brimming with promise, the Albanese government has stumbled through a cost-of-living crisis, divided the nation with polarising politics, and embraced ideological economic experiments, leaving Australia weaker, less competitive, and saddled with debt.
Both major parties are set to throw cash at first home buyers, which in Australia's choked housing market, will bid up prices and unleash unintended consequences.
Just like that, and the tariff scare is over—or is it? Global markets rallied 5-10% yesterday because Trump, in the face of a near-certain recession and equity and bond market carnage, backed off and hit pause. So there is still a Trump Put! Markets can still discipline politicians to
Trump's unpredictability threatens global investment with chaos, zero-sum thinking, and rent-seeking, even if he winds back his tariffs.
He just really likes tariffs.
Did the Trump administration use AI to devise its tariffs?
The US will impose a minimum 10% tariff on all of its trading partners, including Australia.
Xi Jinping's market pivot aims to resuscitate China's economy, but bloated subsidies and a global trade war might choke the recovery.
Please note that I'm travelling internationally this week and will have limited access to a computer, so Aussienomics will be taking a short breather ahead of the inevitable chaos that will be the run-up to the federal election, which—if called by the end of this month—could
Deep Dives
Economic reality trumps climate dreams in a world where money is no longer free.
Deep Dives
A DOGE won't fix Australia's productivity mess—it might just sink it deeper into the muck.
Trade
The Trump Bump has officially become the Trump Slump, with the current US administration's incessant focus on tariffs contributing to one of their greatest tailspins of all time: The crash has been uniquely American: Markets are forward-looking—they reflect investor consensus of what's likely to happen
Deep Dives
Insurance companies aren't 'ripping off' Australians, but navigating complex market forces and inflationary pressures.
Deep Dives
The timing of the upcoming election exposes the economic trade-offs between recurring polls and long-term policy stability.
Deep Dives
Barring major cyclonic damage from Alfred as it barrels into Brisbane tomorrow morning—for those of you in its path, stay safe!—Albo appears all but certain to call an election on either Sunday or Monday, after the week's expenditure review committee (ERC) meetings were all reportedly cancelled.
Growth
Australia's December quarter GDP was robust but there are plenty of gremlins lurking beneath the surface, with implications for inflation and interest rates.
Geopolitics
As the US swings towards isolationism, Australia must forge new alliances to safeguard its interests.
Deep Dives
Trump's failed peace deal leaves Ukraine exposed, allies wary, and aggressors empowered.
Energy
WA's battery subsidy is an expensive fix for today's grid issues that risks undermining its long-term economics.
Monetary policy
How monetary easing and unchecked government spending may threaten Australia's fragile recovery.
Industrial policy
This update has become something of a weekly policy analysis wrap, given the flurry of announcements we're getting ahead of a federal election that now looks like it'll be held on or before 12 April (today is the deadline for a 29 March election to be