How the tables have turned…
At the beginning of 2016, headline figures suggested our economy was growing at a steady pace. Yet the income and ...
09 December, 2016
Have we finally turned the corner?
Official figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that we are finally beginning to recover from ...
06 September, 2016
Economic Modelling – how useful is it really?
There has been a lot of noise in the media of late about the lack of credibility of economic modelling. ...
15 June, 2016
Why it feels like a recession despite the growth
Figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that real net national disposable income (NNDI) fell by ...
02 June, 2016
WA – An Economy in Transition
A cursory glance says Western Australia’s (WA’s) economy is doing okay. Real Gross State Product (GSP) is growing at a ...
13 April, 2016
Using economics to avoid a punch-up
“Chairs were thrown, one councillor was punched and another councillor was thrown to the ground.” Could a short primer on ...
25 February, 2016
Driving the Queensland Economy
The Queensland economy expanded last year despite a large contraction in business investment, and substantial falls in global resource prices. ...
04 January, 2016
Five points on tax reform
The tax reform discussion has already started to narrow in on specific changes, such as increasing the GST, closing superannuation ...
17 November, 2015
Artwork and antiques: “priceless’’ but not price-less
The past few years have seen many governments confront public debt crises. In light of this, creditors have started suggesting ...
21 October, 2015
Bad Questions and Better Questions for the Australian Economy
There are two economic questions Australians should stop asking. Despite seeming relatively innocuous, they are often loaded with biases from ...
24 September, 2015
Business leaders get the wrong end of the stick
Queensland is experiencing tough times. Recently released official figures show the domestic portion of the economy is contracting. However, these ...
10 September, 2015
China-Australia FTA: Miracle or Mirage
The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has been promoted as a landmark economic achievement with our biggest trading partner and ...
21 May, 2015
Australia’s economic challenges in three graphs
Australia is a prosperous nation. In the decade to 2012 we reaped the benefits of a terms of trade boom ...
18 May, 2015
Re:think or repeat? Australia’s tax system needs a better vision
Deteriorating economic conditions are making tax reform more essential than ever. The underlying budget deficit is widening as the resources ...
05 May, 2015
Google Bus – is Google to blame for rising rents in San Francisco?
Rents close to Google bus stops have increased by 20-30% and local residents are up in arms. How should San ...
05 January, 2015
If money doesn’t make you happy, then you probably aren’t spending it right
People can spend money to buy many sources of happiness, such as living longer and healthier lives and having leisure ...
15 July, 2014
Development of cities
Urbanisation will be one of the most important drivers of economic growth of this century. Latest United Nations figures reveal ...
06 February, 2014
Charity Bins
When you drive past your local charity bins, it is not uncommon to see a mountain of broken white goods, ...
04 November, 2013