Even if flaws in the retirement support system are addressed, there would still be a good case for an inheritance tax on the largest transfers.
Michael Keating
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It’s about opportunity: a lesson on capitalism for the party of capitalism
Morrison’s theme that can-do capitalism beats don’t-do government is nonsense. Labor can respond by exalting government’s role, writes Michael Keating.
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The unspoken lesson from the government’s climate modelling
The government’s modelling leaves some legitimate concerns unanswered, but it does suggest a more ambitious emissions reduction target for 2030 is viable.
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How Scotty from Marketing seeks to deceive about climate change
The Morrison government’s proposed response to the threat of climate change tries to reconcile different interests by deceiving them both.
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How Australia could halve carbon emissions by 2030
Australia needs to cut its emissions by 45-50 per cent by 2030. Australia can realise this near-term target and grasp the opportunities that it also presents.
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Why we should halve carbon emissions by 2030
Net zero for carbon emissions in 2050 is meaningless without an ambitious target to halve these emissions in the next decade. In a two-part article, Michael Keating sets out why we need a more dramatic target.
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Wasting away: the Coalition government’s poor management record
So much for superior economic stewardship from the Morrison team. Many services are underfunded while government mismanagement is resulting in a massive waste of money on other programs.
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In defence of Australia’s submarine decision
Swapping the expensive French conventionally powered submarines for nuclear submarines was the right decision, and it does not have to come at a cost to Australia’s independence.
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The quest for small government comes at a cost to good government
The Coalition preaches that small government is best. But the reality is that government is not actually smaller under the Coalition — and what voters really want and need is good government.
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When should the lockdown end?
Suppressing the virus will require much lower caseloads before lockdowns can lift, even if we meet vaccination targets.
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Covid-19 Infections, Vaccinations, Lockdowns, and the Economy
The Morrison Government is desperate to end lockdowns, not least because of what they see as the damage the lockdowns are doing to the economy. (more…)
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Scott Morrison is no leader
Unlike the great Prime Ministers, Scott Morrison will not be remembered for his achievements. Instead, he will be judged by his unwillingness to take responsibility and provide the necessary leadership to adequately respond to the principal challenges facing this nation.
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Why Morrison’s culture of secrecy is so damaging
As has been widely observed, Prime Minister Morrison is obsessed with secrecy. This obsession with secrecy damages both the policy capability of government and the integrity of public administration. (more…)
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What does Labor offer? Part 2
Part 1 of this article discussed the implications for equity and inequality resulting from Labor’s recanting its previous opposition to the Government’s Stage 3 income tax cuts, as well as dropping its policies to reform the taxation provisions covering capital gains and negative gearing. Part 2 discusses the other major concern; the ability of a future Labor Government to now pay for the services that we need and want. (more…)
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What does Labor offer? Part 1
Labor’s repudiation of its previous opposition to the Government’s Stage 3 income tax cuts, and its decision to drop its reforms covering the taxation of capital gains and negative gearing raises two major concerns. (more…)
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The IGR report and its failure to expose the critical policy choices
The Treasurer’s recently released Intergenerational Report has been widely criticised for its narrow modelling framework. But even within this framework, the assumptions appear to be excessively optimistic. Consequently, the Report’s conclusion that Australia’s budget is fiscally sustainable way into the future is not credible. (more…)
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Should Labor oppose the Government’s Stage 3 Income Tax Cuts?
Australia faces a choice between demands for lower taxes, and raising the revenue needed to fund essential services. This article suggests how a plan to increase taxation revenue could be presented at the next election, starting with ditching the Government’s Stage 3 income tax cuts.
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When should government debt be repaid and how?
There is no problem financing government debt. As the debt can only be repaid by running budget surpluses, debt reduction should start in mid-2023 when the Treasury is forecasting that economic recovery will be complete and there will be no spare capacity.
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How good is the 2021 Budget?
The 2021 Budget continues the Government’s good work in minimising the impact of the Covid recession and promoting economic recovery. However, the Government could still do better in setting up Australia for the future and guaranteeing essential services.
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Has the Government’s economic strategy really changed, and what can we expect in future?
The Government’s new focus on unemployment as the key target for budget policy is welcome. But it will need to spend more and therefore tax more, if Australia is to achieve its full economic potential and jobs growth. (more…)
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“Technology not taxes” is a slogan not a policy
True to form, Scotty from marketing has given us a slogan trumpeting “technology not taxes” and not a real policy for dealing with climate change.
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Accountability in the public sector: Part 2
In Part 1 of this article, I discussed the broad role and capability of the public service to assist the government in policy development and its implementation. Part 2 discusses in more detail how accountability is presently working (or not working) in practice and proposes some improvements. (more…)
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Accountability in the public sector: Part 1
This two-part article is based on a speech that I gave to a webinar sponsored by the Centre for Public Integrity on 15 April about how the public service should contribute to the integrity and accountability of executive government. Part 1 discusses the broad role and capability of the public service to assist the government in policy development and its implementation. (more…)
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What is the risk of a housing price bubble?
Home ownership is a cornerstone of the Australian way of life. But it is becoming less affordable. This article discusses the risks of a housing price bubble and what can be done.
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UK conservatives are willing to tax the rich to repair their budget, Morrison will only take from the needy
Conservative politicians in both Australia and the UK profess to believe in small government. However, UK conservatives are prepared to increase tax to fund essential government services while in Australia, our conservatives try to achieve small government by stealth by not properly funding key government responsibilities.
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The Reserve Bank’s target for wage growth is difficult whilst the Government resists wage increases
The Reserve Bank has tied the future of monetary policy to the restoration of wage growth. But how likely is that, and what are the consequences?
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How good is Scott Morrison? Or is it all marketing?
After a bad beginning with the bush fires, Scott Morrison has understandably claimed credit for Australia’s relatively strong performance in mitigating the health and economic consequences of the Covid pandemic in 2020. But looking to the future, how much substance is there, or is he just Scotty from marketing. So long as Morrison remains determined to maintain secret rather than open government we cannot expect any improvement. But unfortunately, this seems to be the fundamental nature of this Prime Minister, and he is unlikely to change.
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In our hands: Will we ‘Reset’ or return to the Dog Days?
As we emerge from the Covid recession, Ross Garnaut argues that Australia is facing a critical choice: change for the good or return to the “Dog Days” that preceded the recession. Garnaut’s book ‘Reset’ makes a major contribution to how that can and should happen. (more…)
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Let’s talk tax: It’s vital if Labor genuinely wants a fairer, more equal society Part 2
Part 1 discussed the policy platform that Labor needs to seize leading up to the election. However, such a platform will lack credibility unless all its policies are fully costed, and it is clear how they will be paid for.
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Liberal and Liberal-lite: a Hobson’s choice for voters at next election? Part 1
Will Labor offer voters a real choice? Labor should grasp the nettle and focus on the key challenges facing Australia – climate change and inequality. Tomorrow, I will discuss the budget consequences of this policy agenda, as this is essential to Labor’s credibility.