Author Archives: Bruce Bradbury

The new income stagnation?

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Bruce Bradbury

The latest National Accounts release confirms the lack of growth in Australian household incomes. Is this the start of a new era of stagnant incomes?  In recent years GDP has continued to increase (save for a small drop at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | 12 Comments

Where else would they come from?

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Bruce Bradbury

Minister Dutton says that 2/3 of people recently charged with terrorism in Australia have Lebanese Muslim backgrounds. However, the first rule when considering dramatic statistics should be to think “compared to what”. In this case, where else might we expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration and refugees, Politics - national, Race and indigenous, Religion, Society | 6 Comments

Old age poverty in Australia?

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Bruce Bradbury

The SMH points to a recent OECD report, claiming that over one-third of Australian pensioners live in poverty – with this being the second-highest rate in the OECD. Are we really that exceptional? No, we are not. Unfortunately, this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Housing bubbles…

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Bruce Bradbury

Joe Hockey has received a lot of flack after his ‘thought bubble’ that first home buyers could be permitted to withdraw from their superannuation accounts to fund their home purchase. From the housing perspective, many have warned that faced with … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Saving the young from superannuation

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Bruce Bradbury

Of the many policy debates in Federal Parliament in 2011, one which gathered support from both major parties was the proposal to lift the superannuation guarantee employer contribution from 9 to 12 per cent.  Not surprisingly, this was wholeheartedly endorsed … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | Tagged , | 40 Comments

Your Carbon Tax at Work

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Bruce Bradbury

I recently decided to install an air conditioner in my study. Naturally, caring about the environment (but not enough to forego my comfort) I chose the most energy efficient model on the market (the only 6 star split system).1 Got … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Economics and public policy | 6 Comments

Tax talk-fests and the importance of being dismal

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Bruce Bradbury

Why is tax reform so hard? Reviews such as the Henry Review often point to ‘low-hanging fruit’ where efficiency gains can be made without any significant equity costs. One oft-noted example is property stamp duty, where the Henry Review recommended … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics and public policy | Tagged | 21 Comments