Budget Policy
16 December 2019
Five things MYEFO tells us about the economy and the nation’s finances
The pre-Christmas economic update confirms that low wage growth is the new normal — and that the Federal Government will need to exercise extraordinary spending restraint if it is to make the surplus forecasts stick.
30 October 2019
Five charts on what a Newstart recipient really looks like
To make sense of the Newstart debate, it helps to know something about who receives unemployment payments. The answers may surprise you.
15 October 2019
The hipster trustbusters
Grattan’s Danielle Wood reviews two new books which tell the story of the young lawyers who are leading the global backlash against the biggest companies.
3 October 2019
Enjoy life, you’re only old once!
Older Australians are generous to a fault when it comes to helping their own children. But retirees could help all young people by supporting the winding back of tax breaks that benefit the elderly but squeeze the young.
20 August 2019
The story of inheritances in Australia – and why it needs to change
Not only do we not tax inheritances, we actually subsidise them, making the already wealthy even wealthier.
18 August 2019
Generational progress can no longer be taken for granted
An ageing population means an ageing voter base. But the Baby Boomers care about future generations. And ultimately their support will be crucial in ensuring the policy changes needed to give young Australians a fair go.
18 August 2019
For the first time in a long time, we’re setting up a generation to be worse off than the one before it
Every generation faces its own unique challenges, but letting this generation fall behind the others is surely a legacy none of us would want. It’s time to share the burden, and perhaps an avocado latte while we’re at it.
8 August 2019
Despite the scare campaigns, an inheritance tax makes a lot of economic sense
A tax reform package that includes an inheritance tax with a corresponding drop in income taxes makes sense. But will any political party run the risk of the inevitable scare campaign?
12 July 2019
Lessons from Australia’s intergenerational election
Older Australians are not selfish. They care about the welfare of their own children and grandchildren, as well as the world they are leaving for future generations. There is little evidence that wealthy retirees voted largely in self-interest at the federal election.
3 July 2019
The Treasurer should be planning economic stimulus now
Ominous clouds loom over our economy. Here’s some policies Josh Frydenberg should be turning his mind to — and some he should not.