The Dismal Science

Live at last week's Australian Governance Summit, we asked what could be done about Australia's languishing productivity: can policy make a difference? Will AI save us? Could it be as simple as building more houses? Plus, a first rate cut might be nearing and an extraordinary plunge in the jobless rate. Regular listeners will notice some snazzy new cover art this week. Thanks to our fantastic designer Jana Clark and photographer Graham Jepson for the fresh look.

Exploring Australia's declining GDP per capita and the anticipation of RBA's decision. Powell hints at US interest rate cuts. Insights on Swiftonomics, impacts of pandemic on economy, and economic effects of large events on Singapore. Exciting live podcast at Australian Government Summit announced.

Inflation is falling but so is growth, is the path to a soft landing for Australia narrowing still? Plus, a deal for what it's worth at the WTO and the UK economy as Willy Wonka experience.

The World Trade Organisation met last week. Not that you'd know it. Is the dream of global trade done? Plus, with real wages finally growing, could the RBA really raise rates again?

An uptick in US inflation shows the path back down might not be smooth, plus back home the labour market cools, hyperinflation in Argentina, and is Bitcoin back?

After the new look RBA meeting, the governor now holds a media conference where she addressed the future path of interest rates, as well as Taylor Swift's effect on inflation. Plus, China acts to backstop its sagging equity markets.

Inflation is moderating in Australia and the IMF says the global economy is on the final descent toward a soft landing. The podcast also discusses the positive inflation results and highlights the surprisingly optimistic outlook from the IMF. It also touches on Russian GDP growth and the effectiveness of sanctions.

We look at the government's changes to the Stage 3 tax cuts. How will this affect the distribution and will they be inflationary? Plus, business confidence plunges and the IMF warns against cutting rates any time soon.

Happy New Year listeners! Big ep to get us rolling: Consumer confidence sliding, signs of slackening in the jobs market and weaker inflation point to the RBA holding in February, Houthi attacks on shipping in the Suez, more weak numbers from China, Mark's apocalyptic beach reading, and the housing market marches on.

It's another bumper quizmas episode. We score Mark on last year's forecasts and gaze into the crystal ball to see what's ahead in 2024. Thank you to all of our listeners. Have a great break! We'll be back in January with more epsiodes.