Tag Archives: politics

2ser radio Sydney interview on the government’s PaTH internship program

I was on 2ser’s Sunday night program The Mix this week talking about the budget and, in particular, the government’s new Prepare-Trial-Hire (PaTH) program for youth unemployment. You can listen to the program on the link below. My contribution starts … Continue reading

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What the government wants us to do – and not do – based on the budget – The Conversation

Warwick Smith, University of Melbourne Budgets are a good opportunity to see through the spin to what the government really wants. Forget the Treasurer’s speech and the budget overview, the truth is in the measures themselves. Generally things the government … Continue reading

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The Coalition has boxed itself into a ridiculous corner on tax – The Drum

OPINION Originally published in The Drum By Warwick Smith Posted 18 Mar 2016, 10:47am According to the Coalition, we can’t raise taxes nor introduce new taxes. And if cutting expenditure is off the table following the dire experience of the … Continue reading

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A sustainable budget surplus is beyond the government’s control, as Joe Hockey has come to realise

Warwick Smith Originally published at The Guardian. Joe Hockey, the treasurer, now concedes he may not be able to deliver his promised budget surplus any time in the foreseeable future. This news is good for private savings because, when the … Continue reading

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Political donations and the destruction of democratic scrutiny

This is an expanded version of an article originally published at The Guardian. By Warwick Smith Published by the Transnational Insitute. Abstract Many corporations donate to both sides of politics. One of the reasons they do this is to ensure … Continue reading

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Guardian article on economic myths

Repeat after me: the Australian economy is not like a household budget By Warwick Smith Originally published at The Guardian. Our political and economic thinking has been warped by bad analogies to the point where we can’t see the real … Continue reading

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Tax economic rent, not productive activity – The Conversation

How’s this for fundamental tax reform? Target the rentseekers By Warwick Smith, University of Melbourne Tax is back in the spotlight with coalition MPs and the Australia Institute talking about getting rid of some of the exemptions to the GST. … Continue reading

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What will you lose when the carbon bubble bursts?

By Warwick Smith Last week I attended a panel discussion on whether or not the bursting of the carbon bubble would cause the next global financial crisis. The event was organised by the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Business and … Continue reading

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Hockey’s G20 plan says economic growth is more important than a civilized and humane world

By Warwick Smith Punishing the unemployed in Australia for the lack of available jobs is not enough, Joe Hockey wants all of the G20 countries to adopt his cruel policies. The Australian Government’s growth strategy prepared for this month’s G20 … Continue reading

Posted in Australian politics, Inequality | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

To attack rather than build is now the norm, but the Coalition’s negative campaigning is backfiring

Attacking a policy simply because it is open to attack can result in painting yourself into an awkward policy corner First published in The Guardian Friday 7 November 2014 By Warwick Smith The Abbott led federal opposition in Australia was … Continue reading

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