Roads, Rorts and Rubbish
The City of Perth scandal was a high-profile illustration of how cavalier governance can lead local administrations astray. New research published by the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation, however, uncovers how […]
Restrictions mask post-election hard truths
COVID-19 has been beneficial for incumbents who have exercised strong and decisive leadership. Indeed, in Western Australia, the McGowan-led ALP Government’s approval rating reached record highs in 2020. But ahead […]
The billions in debt behind WA’s black ink budget
Behind the headline black ink in Ben Wyatt’s 2020 state budget is an indulgent and self-interested fiscal stimulus. Ben Wyatt’s $1.2-billion budget surplus this year comes off the back of […]
A Road to Somewhere – Discussion Paper Release
WA infrastructure needs long-term reform, not short-sighted stimulus Most economists understand the role of infrastructure is quite simple; it connects markets and decreases transaction costs. Citizens may recognise this as […]
Rating the Councils
Local councils represent a level of government that often escapes serious inspection. While ‘closer to the people’, local governments are rarely held to account for how they spend ratepayer funds. […]
Morrison, Howard and Menzies walk into a Centrelink branch…
There is a lot to unpack in the Federal Government’s $130-billion welfare stimulus package. Among the changes to welfare payments is a $1,500 fortnightly “JobKeeper” allowance for six million Australians. […]
Closed for (small) business
The Liberal Party lost 18 of their 31 seats following the 2017 State Election after a decade of unsustainable public sector growth and wastage. Granted, whilst in power, the Liberals […]
At Any Rate, Things Are About to Get Interesting
Over the past two years, Australia’s Reserve Bank (RBA) repeatedly suggested that the next movements in interest rates would be upwards, as the central bank initiates a move back to […]
Baby steps towards the childcare industry collapse
At the end of April, the Leader of the Opposition announced plans to boost the pay of 100,000 childcare workers by 20 percent, through a taxpayer funded subsidy which is […]