Productivity, inequality and the rise of populism
The rise in populism in numerous advanced economies has been driven by cost-of-living pressures. To protect our democracy, we will need faster productivity growth and all wages to rise with productivity.
Recent articles in Economy
1 April 2026
The three phases of Trump’s quagmire in Iran
Trump’s defenders argue that his contradictory actions are strategic. It’s more likely that panic has him flailing. His gut instinct led him to make a colossal mistake, and he has no idea what to do next.
30 March 2026
Tax reform isn’t enough – Australia needs an economic reset
Tax reform is necessary, but on its own it cannot fix an economy shaped by housing speculation, resource dependence and weak productivity.
26 March 2026
Budget savings for Chalmers – fix the bloated pay system at the top of the public service
As the government looks for budget savings, the biggest opportunity lies at the top. Senior public service pay and structures have become costly, inconsistent and hard to justify.
25 March 2026
Time for tax reform – and this may be the moment to act
With inequality rising and budget pressures mounting, a rare political window has opened for meaningful tax reform – if the government chooses to act.
24 March 2026
The WTO is dead? Long live the WTO
Trade ministers gathering to reform the WTO risk starting from the wrong premise. The WTO’s dispute system is impaired, but its core functions remain active. Reform should build on what still works – not start from a false premise of collapse.
24 March 2026
The Strategic Examination of R&D: can Australia’s innovation system reform itself?
A major new review sets out a coherent plan to reform Australia’s innovation system. But the real challenge is not design – it's whether the government can afford and deliver it.
19 March 2026
Australia’s great wealth transfer divide isn’t between generations
Australia's so-called 'great wealth transfer' will not be a simple shift between generations, but a widening gap between those who inherit assets and those who do not.
18 March 2026
The Budget needs real tax reform, not tinkering
Australia’s tax system increasingly favours capital and older wealth while leaving younger Australians with rising debts and shrinking opportunities.
18 March 2026
Reclaiming the common good from neoliberalism
New thinking about the common good challenges decades of neoliberal policy and raises questions about inequality, public services and Australia’s federal system.
13 March 2026
Former defence leaders say oil wars threaten our security, and climate change deepens the danger
In full-page statements in the national media today, 19 Australian security practitioners and former Defence leaders have published an Open Letter on why Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels is a critical economic and security vulnerability.
Catch up on other sections
More from Economy
11 February 2026
Capital gains tax reform could reshape Australia’s housing market
10 February 2026
Why higher taxes make more sense than higher interest rates
15 January 2026
Best of 2025 - In memoriam: The slow death of the Quad
14 January 2026
Best of 2025 - Trump’s risky American economy
11 January 2026
Best of 2025 - Inequality and the future of democracy
