Why Australia’s pro-globalisation consensus endures
Shiro Armstrong,  Liam Gammon

Why Australia’s pro-globalisation consensus endures

Australia’s post-pandemic politics may look more divided, but fears of a rising populist backlash are overstated. Demographics, institutions and economic geography still anchor the nation’s long-standing consensus in favour of openness, migration and global integration.

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Western Australia is rich, but it's not the economic powerhouse it claims to be
Saul Eslake

Western Australia is rich, but it's not the economic powerhouse it claims to be

Western Australian politicians claim the state is the “powerhouse” of the national economy and deserves an outsized share of GST revenue. The ABS State Accounts for 2024–25 tell a different story, revealing a decade of weak growth, falling per capita output and a system that rewards WA despite clear under-performance.

Senate committee on disinformation should look into the Liberals' energy policy: It is full of it
Giles Parkinson

Senate committee on disinformation should look into the Liberals' energy policy: It is full of it

The Liberal Party’s new energy policy recycles discredited claims and fossil fuel talking points, undermining public trust and delaying the essential task of real action.

Five reasons Trump’s economy stinks and 10 things the Dems should do about It
Robert Reich

Five reasons Trump’s economy stinks and 10 things the Dems should do about It

The Trump economy is truly awful for most Americans. Democrats need to show America that they can be better trusted to bring prices down and real wages up.

Migration myths
Ian McAuley

Migration myths

Migrants aren’t to blame for expensive houses or stress on infrastructure: in fact they’re making more contribution to our shared assets than Australians.

'A national humiliation': Australia at bottom of new renewables ranking
Stewart Sweeney

'A national humiliation': Australia at bottom of new renewables ranking

As the Coalition abandons net zero, Andrew Forrest has quietly moved on not just to net zero, but to real zero.

China planning ahead with 15th five-year plan
John Queripel

China planning ahead with 15th five-year plan

In business, the five Ps are often referenced: Poor preparation prevents proper performance. That extends to planning a national economy.

Arms industry infiltrates National Press Club
Michelle Fahy

Arms industry infiltrates National Press Club

More than a quarter of the National Press Club’s sponsors are part of the global arms industry or working on its behalf.

To fix the economy, fix housing
Brendan Coates,  Joey Moloney,  Matthew Bowes

To fix the economy, fix housing

Australia’s economy is in a post-pandemic slump. To dig us out, state and federal governments must tackle the chronic shortage of housing in our biggest cities.

Computer still says no to Queenslanders wearing seatbelts
Gary Moorhead

Computer still says no to Queenslanders wearing seatbelts

The ACT Government has just announced that from 3 November, “ACT traffic cameras will detect and issue infringements for seatbelt offences.

The new political economy of innovation: Why Australian policymakers need better tools
John Howard,  Dr Rajesh Gopalakrishnan Nair

The new political economy of innovation: Why Australian policymakers need better tools

When the Commonwealth Government reorganised its innovation responsibilities for the fourth time in a decade, public servants made jokes about updating their email signatures again.

Practical, equitable … cute? Labor’s free solar plan sparks call for more electrification and flexibility
Sophie Vorrath

Practical, equitable … cute? Labor’s free solar plan sparks call for more electrification and flexibility

The federal energy minister’s plan to make electricity free for three hours in the middle of each day for customers on the default market offer has made a big splash in the energy world, and sparked calls for more electrification and demand flexibility.

In memoriam: The slow death of the Quad
Allan Behm

In memoriam: The slow death of the Quad

Quietly, but surely, life is ebbing away from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad).



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