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About Blog Central
Blog Central is a space for RMIT academics and senior staff to blog about their areas of expertise and interests.
The views and opinions expressed by the authors on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of RMIT University.
All are welcome to contribute. If you're interested in blogging, please contact Zoë Kleeborn from University Communications.
Category Archives: Economics & Finance
Who will hold the balance of power on electricity?
The Senate Select Committee on Electricity Pricing tabled its report in Parliament on November 1. The inquiry found substantial evidence of failures in the rules and operation of the electricity market, even though the electricity sector says it is taking adequate action to deal with a range of issues. The report commented (para 3.101) that [...]
Also posted in Politics, Sustainability, Technology Tagged Australia, electricity generation, Victoria Comments closed
One for Mum but not for Dad and definitely not for the Country
Yesterday the Treasurer announced that the baby bonus would be reduced by $2,000 for second and subsequent children with the view to save $461 million over four years. While much media and political discussion has focused on the distributional implications of this reduction, the important implications for fertility and population have largely been overlooked. Following [...]
Why the carbon-tax ‘python’ won’t squeeze the economy
Some critics of carbon pricing have pointed out that, over time, the carbon price will increase to a much higher level and devastate the economy. Indeed, the image of a python squeezing the life out of the economy has been painted to describe this. However, this view is based on a misunderstanding of how carbon [...]
Also posted in Sustainability, Technology Tagged Australia, carbon pricing, carbon tax, energy, greenhouse emissions, unit of carbon Comments closed
Boom and bust: the parlous health of our state finances
We are most of the way through a very long budget season this year, beginning with Victorian Treasurer Kim Wells in May and is not due to end till Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls delivers his first budget on September 12. Late on Friday night, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu released details of the deep public sector [...]
Also posted in Business, Politics Tagged budget, mining boom, mining tax, revenue, state government, treasurer Comments closed
Measuring hidden unemployment: Part 2
This post is a follow up to another article by Dr De Silva. Read the previous post here. Recently the ABS released the latest unemployment statistics. These figures were remarkably good given the mediocre global economic environment. Notably, the release received little media attention and the attention it did receive was fairly critical. The main [...]
Also posted in Business Tagged Australian employment conditions, GFC, Global Financial Crisis, labour market, unemployment, unemployment rate Comments closed
Hollande and Merkel: breaking up is hard to do
Europe is in economic dire straits and the two most powerful economies on the continent are, at least on paper, led by individuals with considerable differences. The previous French President Nicolas Sarkozy was not merely regarded as a man of austerity, but a man who Chancellor Angela Merkel could do business with. The Sarkozy-Merkel imprint [...]
Also posted in Politics Tagged Angela Markel, Europe, France, Francois Hollande, Germany, Greek economy, Nicolas Sarkozy Comments closed
Elections in Europe an assault on the austerity doctrine
The answer, even though they see over and over again that austerity leads to collapse of the economy, the answer over and over [from politicians] is more austerity. — Joseph Stiglitz, Asian Financial Forum, January 17, 2012 It has been a busy weekend. France finds itself with a new president, its first socialist leader since [...]
Also posted in Media & Communications, Politics Tagged Angela Merkel, austerity, debt, Eurozone, France elections, Francois Hollande, Greece elections, Nicolas Sarkozy, presidential elections, pro-growth Comments closed
Interest rates: A case for no change
Recently, the RBA has been called on to reduce the official cash rate at their next board meeting. These calls are being made by representatives of industries that are integral to Australia’s economic wellbeing; see for example the comments made by Solomon Lew and the Housing Industry Association. While I understand and appreciate the concerns [...]
Also posted in Business Tagged Australian economy, interest rates, RBA, Reserve Bank of Australia Comments closed
Air conditioning is peaking out, time to rethink cool comfort