Competition

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 be held as soon as 3 May.

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.

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.

The CFMEU's recent scandals expose the risks of unchecked union power in Australia, where special privileges can lead to corruption, stifled competition, and costly consequences for the economy.

As low-productivity sectors like health care rapidly expand, Australia faces a pressing need to boost productivity in other areas to maintain economic growth and living standards.

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.

Over the past couple of years, food in Australia has become expensive. So much so that even politicians have started to (belatedly) take notice. That’s usually a good sign that there’s going to be some kind of policy response, once the various reviews are completed and briefing notes are prepared. I’m not sure what form it will take, or how and when it will happen, but the sheer volume of political statements made over the past couple of weeks all but guarantees something is brewing. The common thread throughout: the perceived lack of competition and pricing power in the sector, but especially for the two major supermarket chains, Coles and Woolworths.