More equal societies perform better

Australia is not the egalitarian nation that many people think it is. Rather, in terms of wealth inequalities, we’re mid-ranking on the international league table and we’re becoming more unequal. Frank Stilwell (University of Sydney) explains why that matters and the role that reintroduction of an inheritance tax might play.

Solutions beyond supply to the housing affordability problem

Treasurer Scott Morrison has outlined his vision for increasing home ownership at a speech to the Urban Development Institute of Australia. The Treasurer acknowledged it’s hard for first home buyers to get into the Australian housing market and suggested a number of barriers to increasing housing supply. An expert panel analyses these and suggests what other ideas they might have for easing the problem.

Spectacular cost blowouts show need to keep governments honest on transport

Marion Terrill (Grattan Institute) writes that most transport infrastructure projects come in reasonably close to their original announced cost. The problem is that when projects do run over, it can be spectacular. The main culprit for this startling finding is premature announcements by politicians.

Government needs to consider policies that boost private demand for goods and services

Reuben Finighan (University of Melbourne) argues that the Treasurer’s comments show some understanding of the challenges presented by the new low-rate era, but the policies he promotes do not. Taking money from welfare and sending it to corporations risks increasing corporate saving while reducing consumer demand – the exact opposite of what is needed. 

The superannuation myth: why it’s a mistake to increase contributions to 12% of earnings

John Daley, Brendan Coates and Hugh Parsonage (Grattan Institute) argue that powerful vested interests are pushing the idea that super equals retirement savings. Yet such a view is inconsistent with the facts. Super’s importance to retirement savings has been overblown for far too long.

Productivity Commission stance has potential for social housing gains

Hal Pawson (University of NSW) argues that the commission report’s soberly couched analysis appears focused on how to make the existing social housing system work more efficiently and effectively to deliver established obligations. Furthermore, diversifying social housing on a larger scale would call for Commonwealth government leadership in strengthening the regulatory framework and making it truly national.