Writer

Ian McAuley
Ian McAuley is a retired lecturer in public finance at the University of Canberra. He can be contacted at “ian" at the domain “ianmcauley.com” .
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The RBA fails to convince anyone why it increased interest rates: Weekly Roundup
Labor is too naïve in dealing with Dutton; how Canberra smooths the path for well-heeled lobbyists; how the “cost of living” obsession obscures serious social and economic fault lines; the RBA graded by an aged academic, and how to identify a conservative. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, podcasts, reports and Continue reading »
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Optus, Reserve Bank compete to slow Australia’s economy: Weekly Roundup
Green shoots in renewable energy; Optus and the Reserve Bank in a contest to slow the Australian economy; and the Trumpisation of Australian politics. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, podcasts, reports and other media on current economic and political issues. Continue reading »
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Taxes: Our civilization deficit – Weekly Roundup
A look at deficits in democracy and our common wealth; Why we’re working too hard; What women find in Australia; Gramsci and the right; The politics of Ben Ean Moselle, and the case for higher taxes. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, podcasts, reports and other media on current economic and Continue reading »
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Public policy won’t stand a chance under Dutton’s politics – Weekly Roundup
If Dutton does to the next election what he did to the Voice referendum, public policy won’t stand a chance; the “Home Affairs” experiment has failed; and what the French do in their spare time. Read on for the Weekly roundup of links to articles, podcasts, reports and other media on current economic and political Continue reading »
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Liberal Party falls into the dark world of far-right populism: Weekly Roundup
The Voice vote — a setback for reconciliation and for Australian democracy. Businesses behaving badly. Stan Grant and John Coltrane. Read on for the Weekly roundup of links to articles, podcasts, reports and other media on current economic and political issues. Continue reading »
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Ken Henry on our intergenerational obligations – Weekly Roundup
At our present rate we won’t make our 2030 emissions reduction target; Opinion polls are still weak for the Coalition; and Ken Henry on our intergenerational obligations. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Reconstructing Australia’s economy from the wreckage left by the Coalition – Weekly Roundup
Beyond rent controls: can we have a market where tenants are treated with respect?; Reconstructing Australia’s economy from the wreckage left by the Coalition; and, Vale Mary-Louise McLaws, a voice of reason when reason was in short supply. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current Continue reading »
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Dutton leading the Liberal Party to pyrrhic victory: Weekly Roundup
Dutton may be leading the Liberal Party to a pyrrhic victory; Our future manufacturing sector – dispel Holdens and Bonds underwear from your mind; and how the “small government” idea is stifling the nation. Read on for our Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues Continue reading »
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Surely Albanese isn’t crazy enough to call a double-dissolution: Weekly Roundup
The RBA holds interest rates; Pollsters stunned to learn that most Aboriginal Australians support the Voice; and Surely Albanese isn’t crazy enough to call a double-dissolution. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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The RBA is transferring wealth to baby boomers: Weekly Roundup
The Reserve Bank is transferring wealth from working Australians to retired baby boomers; Liddell Power Station has closed; and, apart from Sussan Ley, who wants the Commonwealth Games? Read on for the Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Unemployment kills Australians: Weekly roundup
The Voice “Yes” campaign is actually supported by parliamentarians from all main parties; Unemployment kills Australians; The Fadden by-election – no winners, but a strange electorate. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Worldwide, workers’ rights are taking a battering – Weekly Roundup
The Public service grapples with Commissioner Holmes’ Robodebt report; Capitalism is at war with democracy; and why are our hospitals overstressed? Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Weekly Roundup: Linda Burney asks us to take the next step in reconciliation
Alan Finkel guides us on our national path to green energy; Linda Burney asks us to take the next step in reconciliation; and an introduction to our newly-minted National Anti-Corruption Commission. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Weekly Roundup: $1 too much for PwC’s government consultancy business?
CPI data shows that Australia has gone from inflation to deflation; We’re not allowing immigrants to put their skills to best use; and, was $1 too much to pay for PwC’s government consultancy business? Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues Continue reading »
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Weekly Roundup: Signs of an impending recession
Reforming political donations – will Labor and the Coalition do a sweetheart deal to thwart independents?; Ten questions about the Voice answered; and Signs of an impending recession. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Weekly Roundup: It’s corporate power, not wages, driving inflation
Another 60,000 houses needed; It’s corporate power, not wages, driving inflation; and, Why would anyone want to migrate to Australia? Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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The Reserve Bank still hasn’t damaged the economy enough: Weekly Roundup
The Reserve Bank still hasn’t damaged the economy enough; The Ben Roberts-Smith case is about more than one person’s behaviour; and how South Australia has borrowed Putin’s laws on political protests. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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The politics of inclusion and division – Weekly roundup
Inflation is coming down quickly; Prime Minister Albanese appeals to our best selves on the Voice; and Chinese-Australians – a quiet immigration success. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Albo comes out as a Burkean conservative: The Weekly Roundup
Stan Grant’s ordeal; The public service has been enfeebled by Coalition governments; and Albo comes out as a Burkean conservative. Read on for the Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Have accounting cosmetics driven dumb housing policy? – Weekly Roundup
Young people are doing it tough; How accounting cosmetics have driven dumb housing policy; and Dutton blows the dog whistle. Read on for the Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Reserve Bank: economic malice or misreading of inflation? Weekly Roundup
Calling for a Menzies to rescue the Liberal Party from Dutton; The Reserve Bank: was it economic malice, enslavement to a simple formula, or a misreading of inflation?; and, National Cabinet: is it the best way to handle federal matters? Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media Continue reading »
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$50 a day Jobseeker payment “cruel” – Weekly Roundup
Government announces that nice people drive electric cars; $50 a day Jobseeker payment “cruel”; and a Wiradjuri warrior’s Anzac Day. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Medicare needs a re-design: is the government up to it? Weekly Roundup
The case for boosting “JobSeeker” payments; Medicare needs a re-design: is the government up to it?; and how to cripple a country. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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If the Minerals Council can make representations to government, why can’t the Voice? – Weekly Roundup
The Liberal Party is moving further to the right; The arithmetic of referendums; and the sorry demise of suburban socialist communes. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Public still love Albo, but don’t trust him – Weekly roundup
Noel Pearson on the Voice; survey finds we still love Albo, but we don’t trust him; and time to throw out your gas cooktop. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Are the Liberal/National parties in deep trouble? – Weekly roundup
Portents of another financial crisis; do the Coalition realise they’re in deep trouble?; and why young people should be out on the streets in anger. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, podcasts, reports and other media on current economic and political issues. Continue reading »
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Why the Coalition likes wrecking constitutional reform – Weekly roundup
Why the Coalition likes wrecking proposals for constitutional reform; a politicised and enfeebled public service; and people versus poker machines in the NSW election. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Don’t cut spending, raise taxes: Weekly roundup
Don’t cut spending, raise taxes; what’s wrong with the government’s carbon credit proposal?; and Stan Grant on the wounds of history. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy. Continue reading »
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Poor ranking for gender equality on IWD: Weekly roundup
A poor ranking for gender equality on International Women’s Day; the computer code that has the Reserve Bank on a loop of rising inflation and rising interest rates; and why we should tax the family home. Read on for the Weekly Roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and Continue reading »
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Covid killing 500 Australians a month: The Weekly Roundup
Will the Albanese government restore Medicare as a universal system? Covid is still killing about 500 Australians a month; and crazies in the Liberal Party branches try to undermine their few remaining sound parliamentarians. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues Continue reading »