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Category: Paul Kerin
SA ranked equal last state economy: Commsec
Commsec’s latest State of the States report (released today and available here) ranks SA equal last (with Tasmania) on economic performance. SA’s best ranking across the 8 indicators was 4th on equipment investment, but it ranked 7th on unemployment and 8th on dwelling starts and retail spending. However, the report noted that SA’s job market […]
Another leading economist called for regulated asset write-downs
Leading economist Professor Ross Garnaut has called for the write-downs in the values of regulated electricity networks’ assets. In a recent speech (available here), Garnaut said: “The falling costs of decentralised power and storage open up the possibility of reducing costs of power supply to users of power throughout the State. But only if the […]
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Chi-X demonstrates why governments should not protect monopolies
Yesterday, alternative share trading venue Chi-X announced the sale of its operations in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, reportedly for about $570 million (for The Australian‘s coverage of the sale, see here). This serves as a reminded of the benefits of market reform and competition – and of the need to not let vested interests […]
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Lessons for governments from taxis vs Uber
In an article in today’s Australian (available here,), I argue that governments can learn valuable lessons from the current battle between the taxi industry and Uber, as well as from past battles over government protection of market power (such as the tariff wall and AWB’s export wheat single desk). I draw 5 key lessons – […]
The future of state governments?
In a speech 3 days ago, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke recommended that Australia should abolish its state governments.The speech was widely reported – see, for example, The Australian’s coverage here. Hawke argued that state borders were “bloody absurd” and that Australia would be governed more effectively with only two levels of government (federal and […]
Parkinson on tax reform
In a speech yesterday at the McKell Institute, Martin Parkinson – the incoming head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (and former head of Treasury, as well as a distinguished graduate of the University of Adelaide’s School of Economics) – noted the importance of tax reform and, in particular, the need for careful […]
Tax Reform Article in The Australian
Paul Kerin and Christopher Findlay published an article in The Australian yesterday which expands on Paul’s recent blog on tax reform. Read the article here.
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GST to 15%?
There is considerable media speculation that the Federal government is considering raising the GST rate to 15% and possibly broadening its base in return for personal tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners. An example of this speculation can be found here. It is claimed that this scenario is one of the options under consideration […]
Does trade promote economic growth?
Last Thursday night, the School of Economics’ Nic Sim gave a fascinating public lecture titled: “Does international trade lead to greater economic development? Evidence from less developed countries”. The lecture was part of the Faculty of the Professions’ Research 21 Public Lecture series. The short answer to Nic’s question is: YES. Based on empirical estimates, […]
Commsec down on SA economy
Commsec’s latest State of the States report (released today and available at State of the States) marks SA 7th (behind only Tasmania) on economic performance. On the dimensions taken into account in Commsec’s rankings, SA ranks best (3rd) on population growth and equipment investment, but ranks 7th on economic growth and retail trade.
