Tax

2025

Taxing unrealised gains is almost always a bad idea Jun 13

Asset prices fluctuations mean Chalmers' superannuation wealth tax could hit hard—with all sorts of ugly unintended consequences.

Should we tax big gas projects more? Jun 5

How we tax gas in Australia might be flawed, but overhauling it could cost more than it's worth.

The rationale for taxing unrealised gains May 23

Why is the Albanese government risking so much political capital on such a bad policy?

The tobacco tax disaster May 22

Australia's tobacco taxes are a social, economic and legal disaster.

The wrong way to fix the budget May 18

Jim Chalmers' planned superannuation changes are an inefficient tax grab with damaging unintended consequences.

Housing policy, Albo's record, Election flop, Why pollies don't reform Apr 16

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.

Trump isn't playing 4D chess Apr 6

He just really likes tariffs.

Another costly bailout, Medicare's funding boost, 13 ideas to fix housing, why the WA GST deal is fair, and the decline of German trains Feb 23

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 called).

Why I'm sour on a sugar tax Jan 9

A sugary drink tax will do more harm than good.

2024

Husic is right about the corporate tax Jun 19

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?