Reform - Aussienomics

Housing

Oz Econ Pulse: Housing policy, Albo's record, Election flop, Why pollies don't reform

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,

Elon Musk weilding a chainsaw gifted to him by Xvier Milei.

Deep Dives

Does Australia need a DOGE?

A DOGE won't fix Australia's productivity mess—it might just sink it deeper into the muck.

Reform

Time for reform, censorship and good intentions, how California mismanaged its fires, and the housing target is a bust

I trust everyone had a lovely weekend, or for those just getting back into the office, a wonderful summer break! The people want reform The Pew Research Centre released the results of its latest survey measuring the "support for changing the current economic system" across 36 countries: "

Brick wall with "until debnt tear us apart" written on it

Budget

The budget update, workers not jobs, the costs of industrial policy, one year of Milei, and the bullish case for hydrogen

The mid-year budget update was depressingly bad; AI won't leave a third of workers unemployable; a Future Made in Australia will politicise the economy; Argentina's remarkable year and what it means for Australia; another look at hydrogen; and the per capita recession may already be over.

A cracked piggy bank against a faded Australian flag, symbolizing economic strain and challenges.

Growth

A sad economy without much hope

Australia's economy risks stagnation as government spending crowds out the private sector, increasing inflation, slowing productivity, and leaving the nation vulnerable to European-style economic malaise.

Lidia Thorpe leaving the Senate chamber with a middle finger in the air.

Reform

Parliament's hectic week, a new era in policymaking, and a glimpse into Australia's future

The Albanese government took the guillotine to democracy; Argentina is getting a good old-fashioned dose of microeconomic reform; what Victoria can teach the rest of Australia; prediction markets and the future of forecasting; and trade works in roundabout ways.

Riots in Buenos Aires ahead of Milei's bill being passed.

Deep Dives

Milei and the nest of rats

Javier Milei's bold reforms aim to revive Argentina's economy, but political hurdles and lingering Peronist-era policies threaten his long-term success.

Deep Dives

The high price of Australia's policy shortcuts

As Australia grapples with declining productivity and mounting economic challenges, the government continues to favour gimmicks over crucial reforms to housing, regulation and fiscal policy.

Deep Dives

Good intentions aren't enough

To ease the rental crisis and prevent it from happening again, governments should provide targeted assistance while focusing on increasing housing supply through planning reforms, rather than implementing well-intentioned but counterproductive policies like no-fault eviction bans.

Politician holding a goose that lays golden eggs.

Deep Dives

Husic is right about the corporate tax

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?

Deep Dives

Is it time for housing coercion?

A more forceful, top-down approach might be the solution to Australia's housing crisis.

Deep Dives

It's time for fiscal rules

Oh boy. Another year, another GST carve-up that led to a flurry of complaints from the states that 'lost out'. This time it was the NSW and QLD Labor governments that were the most vocal, with NSW facing a $310 million cut, while QLD lost $469 million. For