Opinion
GDP
The economy’s just the means to an end. So, are we getting our money’s worth?
Our materialism puts us on a “hedonic treadmill”. We think buying a bit more stuff will make us happier and, at first, it does. But pretty soon the thrill wears off.
- by Ross Gittins
Latest
Opinion
National security
When politicians fire up on ‘security’, my bulldust detector goes to DEFCON 1
Using “security” as a justification for a policy initiative opens the door to interventions that are, in the words of former Treasury secretary Dr Ken Henry, “frankly, bad”.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Corporate ethics
Productivity isn’t working, so why not try being more ethical?
Ethics is a set of beliefs about the right way for people – and organisations - to behave. But what’s that got to do with the economy?
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Productivity
Is a Future Made in Australia a good idea or a bad one? Maybe a bit of both
Why would Anthony Albanese and his smart economists, Jim Chalmers and Chris Bowen, want to reverse the bipartisan policy of the past 40 years and take us back to the future?
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Healthcare
It’s not perfect, but here’s why our health system is one of the best
Australians pay among the lowest taxes of all developed nations and what’s more, when it comes to healthcare, we’re getting excellent value for money.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Climate policy
How Albanese can make Australia’s future the smart way
As the world stops buying our fossil fuels in coming decades, Australia must hunt around in our natural endowment to find a new comparative advantage.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Defence capability
Sorry, it’s not gallantry that wins wars, it’s economic might
Whatever their causes, wars are usually won by the side with the most economic resources. Here’s why.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Energy storage
Buildings as batteries? We need bright ideas like this
Office blocks have an important part to play in our efforts to limit further climate change. How? Keep reading.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Healthcare
When funding healthcare, don’t forget the caring bit
Our leading health economist says that when it comes to healthcare funding, we should think about compassion and social justice, as well as being efficient.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Digital transformation
The digital revolution may be returning us to hi-tech serfdom
Led by a few big tech companies – Meta, Alphabet, Apple, Amazon and Microsoft – the digital revolution is turning capitalism into “technofeudalism”.
- by Ross Gittins
Opinion
Superannuation
What a way to start Easter – a plan to smash the nest-egg
One way to limit the budgetary cost of superannuation is to make its sole purpose to allow people to live comfortably in retirement. That’s not what’s going on now.
- by Ross Gittins