Economic Policies
The Nobel Prize winning economist James Tobin once said that the study of economics “offered the hope, as it still does, that improved understanding could better the lot of mankind”. One of the ways in which it does this is through the implementation of economic policy that helps to ameliorate boom-and-bust cycles, reduces unemployment, contains inflation or lifts people’s living standards in sustainable ways.
Interim Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee on the Fiscal Sustainability of the ACT
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 2nd March 2026At the beginning of last month Saul was engaged by the Australian Capital Territory’s Legislative Assembly as a Special Advisor to the Select Committee on the Fiscal Sustainability of the ACT, which was established in December last year. Saul’s interim report was presented to the Committee on 27th February. . The Final Report is due […]
The Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far – a discussion with the Economics Writer for The West Australian, on ABC Radio National’s “It’s the Economy, Stupid”
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Taxation | 26th February 2026Saul appeared along with the economics writer for _The West Australian_ newspaper, Matt McKenzie, on ABC Radio National’s “It’s the Economy, Stupid!” hosted by Peter Martin AM, to discuss The Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far, aka “the WA GST deal” (under which the Federal Government is gifting Australia’s richest state, […]
Opening statement to the Senate Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Housing, Taxation | 25th February 2026Saul was asked to testify to the Senate Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount on 25th February 2026. Below is Saul’s ‘opening statement’ to the Committee.
Submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into The Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far (aka “the WA GST deal”).
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 5th January 2026The Productivity Commission has been asked to inquire into what I’ve called The Worst (Australian) Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far – namely, the Orwellianly-titled Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Every State and Territory Gets Their Fair Share of GST) Act 2018, legislated by the Morrison Government (with the support of the […]
The Australian Economy in 2025-26: Presentation to Economics Teachers
Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 24th November 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to the Victorian Commercial Teachers’ Association “CommView 2025” conference in Melbourne on 25th November 2025. In addition to discussing various aspects of the Australian economy in 2025-26 it also looks at: the very different implications for Australia, compared with other ‘advanced’ economies, of the rapid growth and industrialization of China over the […]
Tasmania’s “Interim” 2025-26 Budget – An Opportunity Missed to Start the Task of Budget Repair
Economic Policies, Tasmania | 6th November 2025My take on today’s Tasmanian “interim” 2025-26 Budget presented by Treasurer Eric Abetz. I see it as a missed opportunity to ‘get on’ with the task of ‘budget repair’, which as the Tasmanian Treasury has been pointing out since 2019, only gets harder the longer it is put off.
Inside the WA GST:
The Worst Public Policy of the 21st Century
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, News, Recent Media Interview | 4th November 2025
Saul Eslake talks to the host of ABC Radio National’s Breakfast program, Sally Sara, about the Western Australian Government’s campaign to defend what Saul calls “the Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far”, the undermining of the long-standing principles governing the distribution of revenue from the GST to the states and territories at the behest of Australia’s richest state, WA, at a cost to the Federal Budget of $60 billion over eleven years.
Global Megatrends, the Australian Economy and Residential Property Markets
Economic Policies, Globalization, The Australian Economy, The Global Economy | 31st October 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to a luncheon hosted by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Western Australian Division) at Crown Perth on 31st October 2025.