Economic Policies
The Nobel Prize winning economist James Tobin once said that the study of economics “offered the hope, as it still does, that improved understanding could better the lot of mankind”. One of the ways in which it does this is through the implementation of economic policy that helps to ameliorate boom-and-bust cycles, reduces unemployment, contains inflation or lifts people’s living standards in sustainable ways.
The massive $50bn GST revenue distribution blow out (with Gary Adshead)
Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview | 14th February 2024Saul Eslake spoke with 6PR’s Mornings presenter Gary Adshead about the massive blow-out in the cost of the changes to the distribution of revenue from the GST to the states and territories made by the Morrison Government (with the support of the then Labor Opposition) in 2019, at the behest of Western Australia.
Distribution of GST Revenue: the Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century to date.
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 4th February 2024Saul Eslake: An essay about the consequences of the Morrison Government’s decision (supported by the then Labor Opposition and continued, indeed extended, by the current Albanese Labor Government) to change the way in which the revenue from the GST is carved up among Australia’s states and territories, at the behest of Australia’s richest state, Western Australia.
Alternatives to interest rates
Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview, The Australian Economy | 29th January 2024Saul Eslake: Some weeks ago, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)’s Fiona Blackwood asked me to respond to a series of questions from listeners and viewers about possible alternatives to raising interestr ates as a way of tackling inflation. These were all very good questions, which deserved serious and thoughtful answers – which is what I hope I have provided here …
‘Stage 3’ tax cuts
Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview, The Australian Economy | 25th January 2024Saul Eslake talks to ABC Radio Central Victoria’s Fiona Parker about the Government’s changes to the ‘Stage 3’ tax cuts originally legislated by the former Morrison Government, and what they might mean for different groups of taxpayers, and for inflation and interest rates.
The proposed changes to the “stage 3 tax cuts”
Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview, The Australian Economy | 24th January 2024Saul Eslake talks to the Seven Network’s “Sunrise” hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shervington on 24 Jan 2024 about the Government’s proposed changes to the “stage 3 tax cuts” originally legislated by the Morrison Government back in 2019, and which the current government had previously promised to “deliver in full”.
Stage 3 Tax Cuts 2024
Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview, The Australian Economy | 15th January 2024Saul Eslake talks to 4BC’s Bill McDonald about the ‘stage 3’ tax cuts – originally legislated by the former Morrison Government, but which the Albanese Government has pledged to deliver in full come 1st July – and the impact they might have on the Reserve Bank’s thinking about interest rates.
The RBA is following a slightly different path from its peers
Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 11th January 2024The Reserve Bank of Australia has come in for criticism for some quarters for its most recent rate hike (on 7th November). Although most RBA-watchers, me included, think that there won’t be any more rate hikes next year, the Minutes of the 5th December RBA Board meeting show that another hike was a live option […]
The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO)
Economic Policies, News, The Australian Economy | 13th December 2023Interview with Melbourne Radio station 3AW’s Heidi Murphy about the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) presented by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday 13th December Economist provides rundown on the budget update and the ‘surprising’ passport increase (3aw.com.au)