This budget won’t fix the problem: but ageing- and productivity-related problems are increasing funding pressures, and the tax system isn’t up to the revenue task.
Read moreLabor has a good story to tell on climate
The Hawke and Keating governments created a reforming narrative of banana republic turned clever country. Anthony Albanese could do the same with the climate revolution.
Read moreAvoiding the recession we don’t have to have
There are no wage or currency pressures that would justify the RBA following the Fed into aggressive rate rises.
Read moreAlbanese can make Labor the natural party of government
Anthony Albanese’s consensus politics and deep divisions in the Liberal Party mean Labor may no longer just fill the interludes between Coalition governments.
Read moreSummit sees return of Hawke’s consensus government
Cynics are describing the jobs summit as a talkfest before it even starts. But the common ground on migration and skills has already been made clear.
Read moreWhy net zero is just the beginning of decarbonising the planet
Governments are largely focused on adding no further pollutants to the atmosphere. But we need to think about removing the carbon that’s already up there.
Read moreAlbanese right to question high priests of central banking
The RBA is not infallible, and the Prime Minister cannot remain silent if its powerful officials are wreaking harm with bad calls.
Read moreLiberal warriors don’t want a China reset
The raucous opponents of the Albanese government resetting the relationship are playing a dangerous game with Australia’s foreign policy and ambitions for a peaceful, prosperous and stable region.
Read moreWhy the RBA must not over-react and slam on the brakes
Smashing the demand for groceries in order to fix a supply side problem is a wrong-headed monetarist solution.
Read moreFinally, an energy plan is tackling the storage challenge
Battery investment has been mishandled by Coalition governments. Fortunately, there are plenty of small-scale options available.
Read moreThe return of frank, fearless advice
The former Morrison government’s sidelining of public servants meant that Australian politics lost the benefit of their ideas and corporate memory.
Read morePodcast: The Emerson Hour - The Left-Right Political divide
Tom Emerson interviews Craig Emerson
Read moreWhat to expect from an Albanese government
Some early down payments on reform would be helpful, perhaps starting with industrial relations where the parties had made good progress in 2020.
Read morePodcast: The Emerson Hour - The Campaign trail
Craig and Tom discuss the differences between running as an independent and as a party member, who funds political campaigns, campaign strategies, Craig’s experience campaigning with Bob Hawke, why Craig joined the Labor Party, and the difference between an MP and a senator.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e2-the-campaign-trail/id1619743298?i=1000559073418
It’s the Coalition, not Labor, who are economic reform laggards
Business people shouldn’t fall for claims that the Liberals are the party of reform and low taxes. History and the government’s own economic forecasts confirm this is wrong.
Read moreMorrison's tax guarantee is a guarantee of higher taxation
Coalition governments have been big taxers and big spenders. And now the present government’s post-pandemic sugar hit on the economy is running out.
Read moreThe nation needs a leader prepared to deliver much-needed reform
A national reform summit will be needed after the election to kick off this conversation. It should be followed by an agreed program of work to inform a new reform agenda.
Read moreWomen are left holding the baby
Reform of the Child Care Subsidy would ease cost-of-living pressures for working families
Read moreChampion of an open, competitive economy
The principles that The Australian Financial Review has argued for over the decades are once again under threat.
Read moreAlbo's smart target election strategy
Labor’s release of a limited number of signature policies makes not only good political sense. It is economically responsible at a time of great uncertainty.
Read more