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 […]
Continue Reading...Posts in ‘Economics’
Ho Ho, Hey Hey, Mum and Dad have got to pay
Thursday, March 14th, 2019So how cheap is renewable energy?
Sunday, March 4th, 2018This 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 […]
Continue Reading...Two innovations in a disrupter
Thursday, May 18th, 2017Great 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 […]
Continue Reading...Queensland’s over-promise on privatisation
Tuesday, October 11th, 2016At 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.
Continue Reading...ChAFTA about levelling the playing field
Saturday, September 5th, 2015I 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 […]
Continue Reading...Nothing tough about trade-him-in Tony anymore
Friday, March 20th, 2015Tony 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 […]
Continue Reading...Superannuation and home buyers
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015It’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 […]
Continue Reading...Dog whistles must be on special
Saturday, February 21st, 2015I’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 […]
Continue Reading...40 job applications no big deal
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014When 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 […]
Continue Reading...Why not retire at 81?
Thursday, April 24th, 2014The 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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