AEMO warns Australia could be plunged into darkness; Don’t blame Lowe: he has a lousy job; and the Murdoch media’s internal culture: it isn’t pretty. Read on for the weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts, and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.

Inflation, wages and profits

There must be better ways to contain inflation. Almost 40 percent of Australians believe wage rises are the cause of inflation; economists are in the other 60 percent. Dont blame Lowe: he has a lousy job and like all central bankers hes trying to work with a toolbox of lousy economic theories. Whats so awful about inflation and is it as bad as rising and entrenched inequality? Our low-wage economy: there hasnt been a decent wage rise for ten years.

Energy

The AEMO presents either a set of opportunities for investment in industrial re-structuring, or a warning that were about to be plunged into darkness: the choice depends on your ideological Weltanschauung. Our energy future hunkering down off-grid or sharing resources fairly? Worldwide energy costs in Australia we have it easy.

Other economic policy

Superannuation the case for public subsidies to help people establish family dynasties, and the injustice of withdrawing tax concessions from those struggling to retire on $5 million. How were all subsidising the very well-off people of Western Australia.

Other policies and politics

Crime continues on a downward trend, but there is still enough to keep us all scared and to keep stuffing more people into the slammer. Our school education system is generating worsening intergenerational ignorance. What does Britains demise mean for Australia? not much really. Polls show the gloss is coming off Labor, but theres no joy for the Coalition.

The right in Australia and abroad

How fragmentation of society nurtures right-wing terrorism. A look into the Murdoch medias internal culture: it isnt pretty.

Public ideas

Dont blame the poor, lest you find yourself on the path to eugenics. The modern classroom where children learn to tolerate the chaos and noise of the productivity-destroying open office.

His Majestys subjects in rapturous joy!

But it takes a Czech to get them singing.

Links to sources of webinars, podcasts and readings