Governments are addicted to tax revenue from harmful activities. It is stopping them from doing what is in society's best interests.
Josh Frydenberg wants to leave mortgage broker commissions unchanged for three years. It's hard to see why.
The treasurer says 2018 was a year of two halves, but there were signs of a downturn well before mid year.
Do regulators act in the public interest, or in the interest of those they are meant to regulate?
Rates might need to be cut urgently, and because things are good. RBA Governor Philip Lowe has signalled he won't wait.
The Reserve Bank's inflation target seems out of date in a world of ultra low inflation. So why is Governor Lowe persisting with it?
Counterintuitively, vague incentives to improve performance or behaviour are often stronger than clear ones.
Prices are off, but from unprecedented highs. It could be a one-time adjustment.
The so-called 'Australian model' of 'asset recycling' is no miracle cure for US infrastructure problems.
The best time to shut down negative gearing is when few people are taking it up. That time could well be now.
