Economics

Vital Signs: Yes, we need to make things in Australia, but not like in the past

19 Oct 2020

There's a strong case for more strategic local manufacturing. There's little case for making cars and trains in Australia.

Why economists are giving the federal budget a 'B' rating

09 Oct 2020

With the government taking on record debt in a bid to pull Australia out of recession, infrastructure-related spending must be carefully managed, says UNSW Business School.

The budget's tax cuts have their critics, but this year they make fiscal sense

07 Oct 2020

The government has brought forward planned tax cuts. And while some say we shouldn't be cutting taxes during a recession, the plan has its merits.

Vital Signs: Google shouldn't subsidise journalism, but the government could

25 Sep 2020

Making Google and Facebook pay Australian news publishers might be good politics, but it is odd economics.

Vital Signs: 50 years ago Milton Friedman told us greed was good. He was half right

21 Sep 2020

Firms should attempt to maximise profits, but if shareholders want it, there's no reason why they can't have other goals.

Vital Signs: How do you fight a recession without precedent?

04 Sep 2020

Most recessions are caused by an overreaction to too much inflation. This one is because we are not spending.

Vital Signs: The Reserve Bank has done as much as it can. Now it's up to the government

21 Aug 2020

The Reserve Bank Australia has exhausted the limits of monetary policy, There's no magic pudding, says governor Philip Lowe.

Vital Signs: COVID-19 crisis in aged care shows elimination is the only effective strategy

31 Jul 2020

The evidence is in and the answer is clear. We must try and eliminate COVID-19 for the health and economic benefit of Australians of all ages.

Vital Signs: Government lockdown costs may be exaggerated over COVID-19's direct economic impact

17 Jul 2020

Research suggests the coronavirus pandemic's greatest impact is due to people changing their behaviour voluntarily. So we may be overestimating the costs of government restrictions.

What does the roadmap to recovery look like for Australia?

08 Jul 2020

Even as Victoria confronts a six-week shutdown in response to emerging coronavirus cases, other states are reopening. Policy responses must reflect the needs of the most vulnerable, say UNSW Business School’s Leisa Sargent and John Piggott.

Economics

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