Posts in ‘Economics’

Ho Ho, Hey Hey, Mum and Dad have got to pay

Thursday, March 14th, 2019

Fascinated by the collision of unions, students and ideology. Tomorrow, on the Ides of March, we have a world wide withdrawal of attention by school children, who will protest against Climate Change. This is supported by the Australian Education Union. At the same time Sally McManus, Secretary of the ACTU, is campaigning for an increase […]

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Posted by Graham at 12:55 pm | Comments (2) |

So how cheap is renewable energy?

Sunday, March 4th, 2018

This table from Peter Rees is an interesting analysis of proposed power plants for South Australia. At a time when zealots are claiming that so-called renewables (wind and solar) are cheaper than alternatives, the reality of building costs says otherwise. The notes and commentary are Peter’s as well. The three renewable projects will produce a […]

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Posted by Graham at 10:38 am | Comments (13) |

Two innovations in a disrupter

Thursday, May 18th, 2017

Great experience today in an Uber that I just have to share. It shows just how innovative and exciting the modern economy is, and a good antidote to the doom and gloom from last night’s forum on the Universal Basic Income. Turns out my Uber driver is doing it part time. Made some money as […]

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Posted by Graham at 9:23 pm | Comments (10) |
Filed under: Economics,Innovation

Queensland’s over-promise on privatisation

Tuesday, October 11th, 2016

At the higher figure it would take the sale of land capable of supporting 83,077 units to fund the entire cost of the Cross River tunnel. At the lower figure that blows out to 180,000.

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Posted by Graham at 12:17 pm | Comments (2) |

ChAFTA about levelling the playing field

Saturday, September 5th, 2015

I don’t understand the debate about ChAFTA. What ChAFTA does is allow Australia more access to China, after we unlitaterally extended that courtesy to China years ago. It is about levelling the playing field for everyone which will create more jobs all around. Yet the ALP, true to form under this regime, is only interested […]

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Posted by Graham at 4:19 pm | Comments (2) |

Nothing tough about trade-him-in Tony anymore

Friday, March 20th, 2015

Tony Abbott has been portrayed as too tough and unfeeling by his enemies for as long as he’s been in parliament. This is wrong. Despite his obvious exercise discipline what we’re seeing at the moment is a Pavlova – brittle on the outside and soft in. If Abbott were tough then he would not now […]

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Posted by Graham at 7:55 am | Comments (24) |

Superannuation and home buyers

Tuesday, March 10th, 2015

It’s amazing how many people have leapt in to criticise Hockey’s suggestion that young Australians should be able to tap into their super contributions to buy their first home, including this bad tempered contribution from former PM Paul Keating. Far from being a class envy attack on retirement savings, it could be the single best […]

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Posted by Graham at 7:30 am | Comments (9) |

Dog whistles must be on special

Saturday, February 21st, 2015

I’ve been shocked and disgusted by the racism incorporate in the reaction to the Hepatatitis A contaminated frozen berries sold by Nanna’s and used as a weapon by those seeking to advance restrictive trade practices. While plenty were keen to accuse John Howard of allegedly “dog whistling” to racists through his tough on illegal entrants […]

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Posted by Graham at 10:50 pm | Comments (9) |

40 job applications no big deal

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014

When I worked as a finance consultant I was supposed to make 10 approaches a day, and attend at least two appointments. I’d keep notes of conversations and follow-up with potential clients at regular intervals if they had nothing for me now, but might have in the future. I didn’t always make my quota, but that would be […]

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Posted by Graham at 7:47 am | Comments (2) |
Filed under: Economics

Why not retire at 81?

Thursday, April 24th, 2014

The whole idea of retirement is a new-fangled invention, and not one that I think has been for the good. When it comes to work, I’m with Marx – it is what defines us. A life without work is a life without definition. Before the 20th century there was no idea that there was a […]

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Posted by Graham at 7:07 am | Comments (9) |
Filed under: Economics,Health,Society