Paul Austin
@paulnaustin.bsky.social
📤 241
📥 173
📝 219
Media professional. Politics, economics, sport, culture, society, the lot.
[email protected]
The Saturday Paper: “Linda Reynolds looks forever like someone about to send her main back to the kitchen. She has been victimised by life. Everything is an injustice and all of it done to her. According to court documents, her middle name is Karen.”
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2025/11/22/l...
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On Linda Reynolds and Janet Albrechtsen
A little over a week ago, Linda Reynolds gave her first interview since winning her defamation case against Brittany Higgins. She gave it to Janet Albrechtsen, the right-wing columnist whose texts and...
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2025/11/22/linda-reynolds-and-janet-albrechtsen
6 days ago
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How to fix public hospital funding An important new Grattan Institute report that should be compulsory reading for the Prime Minister and the Premiers
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#health
grattan.edu.au/report/smart...
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Smarter spending: Getting better care for every hospital dollar
Australian governments waste $1.2 billion a year on avoidable spending in public hospitals which does nothing to improve patient care.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/smarter-spending-getting-better-care-for-every-hospital-dollar/
10 days ago
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Memo to the Libs and Nats: net zero is not a political plaything or a virtue-signalling culture war trope. Grattan Institute expert Alison Reeve injects some facts and evidence into Australia’s energy and climate-change debate.
#auspol
#coal
Via The Age
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/yes-your-energy-bills-have-gone-up-turning-net-zero-into-a-culture-war-will-send-them-higher-20251116-p5nfpp.html
12 days ago
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It’s a mirage of an energy and climate change policy The Liberals’ plan won’t reduce power prices and it won’t reduce emissions substantially, writes Grattan Institute policy guru Tony Wood in the Financial Review
#auspol
#coal
#renewables
#NetZero
grattan.edu.au/news/a-mirag...
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A mirage of an energy and climate change policy - Grattan Institute
The Libs’ plan won’t reduce power prices and it won’t reduce emissions substantially.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/a-mirage-of-an-energy-and-climate-change-policy/
14 days ago
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Melbourne is a great city, but… Grattan Institute housing policy expert Joey Moloney puts the case for higher density across the suburbs, including Ivanhoe, Fairfield, and Newport
#auspol
#springst
#planning
grattan.edu.au/news/melbour...
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Melbourne needs lots of new homes—quickly - Grattan Institute
The planning system needs to change so the city can stay great.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/melbourne-needs-a-lot-of-new-homes-quickly/
14 days ago
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The longest city is short on homes Why Perth needs planning reforms, by Grattan Institute housing policy experts Joey Moloney and Ashleigh Chang in today’s West Australian
grattan.edu.au/news/the-lon...
#auspol
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The longest city is short on homes - Grattan Institute
Perth needs planning reform.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/the-longest-city-short-on-homes/
16 days ago
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To fix the economy, fix housing. Brendan Coates, Joey Moloney, and Matthew Bowes summarise their blockbuster new Grattan Institute report on Australia’s housing crisis.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#Insiders
Via Pearls and Irritations
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To fix the economy, fix housing
Australia’s economy is in a post-pandemic slump. To dig us out, state and federal governments must tackle the chronic shortage of housing in our biggest cities.
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/to-fix-the-economy-fix-housing/
19 days ago
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Why Australia needs a housing policy revolution – and what it will mean for your suburb. Major new Grattan Institute report by Brendan Coates, Joey Moloney, and Matthew Bowes.
#auspol
#nswpol
#springst
#Planning
#Heritage
grattan.edu.au/report/more-...
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More homes, better cities: Letting more people live where they want
Three-storey townhouses and apartments should be permitted on all residential land in all capital cities as part of a concerted policy assault on Australia’s housing crisis.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/more-homes-better-cities/
23 days ago
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Tony Abbott and the Ladybird view of history Jane Lydon runs the rule over Abbott’s Australia
theconversation.com/tony-abbotts...
#auspol
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Tony Abbott’s history of Australia wants us to be proud of men like him
Tony Abbott begins his book Australia: A History, by telling off professional historians – and laments the “cultural confusion” of our present moment.
https://theconversation.com/tony-abbotts-history-of-australia-wants-us-to-be-proud-of-men-like-him-268294
24 days ago
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Treaty yeah
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
#auspol
#springst
#Australia
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The votes are counted and the quiet shattered as treaty arrives in Victoria
The first treaty with our First Peoples came after a long debate and even longer wait.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/the-votes-are-counted-and-the-quiet-shattered-as-treaty-arrives-in-victoria-20251030-p5n6nr.html?utm_content=picture_of_the_day&list_name=3C1D28D0-7E1E-4DC0-9DD3-A961CC5360DB&promote_channel=edmail&utm_campaign=am-theage&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=2025-10-31&mbnr=MzA3OTM2NTg&instance=2025-10-31-07-18-AEDT&jobid=31962669
28 days ago
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Nice
add a skeleton here at some point
30 days ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Beddy
about 1 month ago
one of the ironclad rules of Australian journalism is that any story about voting must be accompanied by a picture of people voting in swimwear
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“Less about saving swimmers and more about serving cocktails” How $14m of public money to convert an ageing bayside pool to a heated indoor learn-to-swim centre is being misused to build a glitzy private social club on Williamstown’s heritage beach
www.theage.com.au/national/vic...
#springst
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Tensions flare in seaside suburb over ‘Bondi Icebergs’ proposal
Over seven years, the lifesaving club has gone through three rounds of redevelopment plans, and the neighbourhood is once again divided over the $14.5 million project.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/tensions-flare-in-seaside-suburb-over-bondi-icebergs-proposal-20251008-p5n0w1.html
about 2 months ago
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Here’s some good news: Play your cards right, and your household energy bills could halve by 2050 New Grattan Institute report by Alison Reeve and Tony Wood
grattan.edu.au/report/bills...
#auspol
#ClimateEmergency
#NetZero
#coal
#renewables
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Bills down, emissions down: A practical path to net-zero electricity
Australian household energy bills are set to halve by 2050, leaving ‘policy room’ for the federal government to cut emissions in the electricity sector without hurting households.
https://grattan.edu.au/report/bills-down-emissions-down-a-practical-path-to-net-zero-electricity/
about 2 months ago
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Australia’s workforce challenge Thoughtful new Grattan Institute series on building our workforce of the future
#auspol
#ausecon
#jobs
#migration
#AI
grattan.edu.au/australias-w...
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Australia’s workforce challenge - Grattan Institute
Grattan Institute’s six-part series on building our workforce of the future.
https://grattan.edu.au/australias-workforce-challenge/
about 2 months ago
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Three more reasons to object to the proposed over-development of Williamstown’s historic life-saving club: 1. Taxpayers’ money being used for private facilities 2. The ‘Members Only’ fence 3. A footprint that extends well beyond the club’s current fence line
thewestsider.com.au/is-the-willy...
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Is the Willy Beach Lifesaving Club set to become Australia’s most expensive?
Jason Bryce asks community to become engaged in the discussions over the new plans for the Williamstown lifesaving club.
https://thewestsider.com.au/is-the-willy-beach-lifesaving-club-set-to-become-australias-most-expensive/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Grattan Institute
about 2 months ago
Sydney remains ground zero for Australia’s housing crisis. Our housing policy expert Brendan Coates gives the NSW government credit for acting to get more housing built – and identifies what should happen now.
#auspol
#nswpol
grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-...
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Sydney remains ground zero for Australia’s housing crisis - Grattan Institute
The NSW government deserves credit for taking steps to get more housing built. Here’s what it should do next.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/sydney-remains-ground-zero-for-australias-housing-crisis/
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Gradually , then suddenly. Jacqueline Maley charts America’s descent into authoritarianism.
#Trump
#freedom
#democracy
www.smh.com.au/world/north-...
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Under Trump, America’s descent into authoritarianism may be unstoppable
Like the famous Ernest Hemingway quote, the demise of American democracy has happened gradually and now, all at once.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/under-trump-america-s-descent-into-authoritarianism-may-be-unstoppable-20250919-p5mwb9.html
2 months ago
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Comedy, power, and democracy. Steve Vizard rises to the occasion.
#JimmyKimmel
#Trump
www.afr.com/politics/jim...
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Jimmy Kimmel’s demise exposes how power fears ridicule
Comedy is not a sideshow. It is part of the main act. When comedy vanishes, rulers mistake themselves for the nation.
https://www.afr.com/politics/jimmy-kimmel-s-demise-exposes-how-power-fears-ridicule-20250919-p5mwce
2 months ago
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‘This week has been a watershed on Australia’s hard road to net zero. The main game now is implementation, as the spectre of climate change awaits.’ The verdict from Grattan Institute energy policy guru Tony Wood in the Financial Review
#auspol
#emissions
#targets
www.afr.com/policy/energ...
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A step up in action to hit the 2035 emissions target is urgently needed
This week has been a watershed on Australia’s hard road to net zero. The main game now is implementation, as the spectre of climate change awaits.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/a-step-up-in-action-to-hit-the-2035-emissions-target-is-urgently-needed-20250917-p5mvx5
2 months ago
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The Albanese government has finally set a 2035 climate course – and it’s a mission Australia must accept. By Tony Wood from the Grattan Institute in The Conversation
#auspol
#NetZero
#emissions
#targets
theconversation.com/the-albanese...
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The Albanese government has finally set a 2035 climate course – and it’s a mission Australia must accept
The target seeks to balance positive action with pragmatism. Achieving it will requires a major policy step-up.
https://theconversation.com/the-albanese-government-has-finally-set-a-2035-climate-course-and-its-a-mission-australia-must-accept-264885
2 months ago
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‘The similarly ageless Patrick Dangerfield leaves divots, bruises, and trauma. Scott Pendlebury doesn’t leave a trace. He hovers above the game, popping in where he sees fit.’ Jonathan Horn on Pendles
#AFL
#Collingwood
#GoPies
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...
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From the Pocket: they may be old but Scott Pendlebury’s Collingwood are wily and hungry
The Magpies’ core group of self-driven, physically and mentally resilient senior players eat up the hard work to maintain high performance
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/17/from-the-pocket-they-may-be-old-but-scott-pendleburys-collingwood-are-wily-and-hungry
2 months ago
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Grattan talks to Grattan. Michelle Grattan, doyen of the parliamentary press gallery, talks to Tony Wood, energy and climate change policy guru at the Grattan Institute, about net zero, 2035, 2050, and all that.
#auspol
#climate
#targets
theconversation.com/politics-wit...
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Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tony Wood on ‘politics trumping climate policy’ and the hard road ahead
The energy expert says Australia’s only on track to cut its emissions by around 50% by 2035 – ‘so we’re going to have to step up the pace’ in the next decade.
https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-tony-wood-on-politics-trumping-climate-policy-and-the-hard-road-ahead-265474
2 months ago
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‘Getting shit done.’ Joel Deane on Dan Andrews. Typically insightful.
#auspol
#springst
www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/12/c...
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What Albo can learn from Dan 'getting shit done' Andrews
Much of the praise and criticism of Dan Andrews — who, like Kennett, incited adoration and hatred — is one-eyed, if not cross-eyed. Andrews was neither dictator nor saviour.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/12/catch-and-kill-joel-deane-anthony-albanese-daniel-andrews/
2 months ago
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The business case for corporate tax reform needs to be rather more sophisticated than just ‘cut our taxes’. Grattan Institute CEO Aruna Sathanapally writes for the Financial Review
#auspol
#ausecon
#GST
www.afr.com/policy/tax-a...
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Why the case for a corporate tax cut is tricky
If business wants change, it needs to do more than just call for “lower taxes”. It needs a clear model, a credible way to fund it, and a persuasive case.
https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/why-the-case-for-a-corporate-tax-cut-is-tricky-20250914-p5mutk
2 months ago
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Dan. Mate.
www.afr.com/rear-window/...
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Senior Liberal’s luxury hotel TV gaffe
Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan outed his upscale accommodation while on a privately funded nuclear junket.
https://www.afr.com/rear-window/senior-liberal-s-luxury-hotel-tv-gaffe-20250909-p5mtp6
3 months ago
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The old man could play
#AFL
#AFLfinals
#GoPies
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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‘Well off the pace’ Grattan Institute education policy expert Amy Haywood slams weak student improvement targets
#auspol
#schools
#funding
educationhq.com/news/well-of...
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‘Well off the pace’: Grattan expert slams weak student improvement targets
Education ministers have set the achievement bar too low for Australian students, with current improvement targets at risk of locking in underachievement across some jurisdictions, experts from Gratta...
https://educationhq.com/news/well-off-the-pace-grattan-expert-slams-weak-student-improvement-targets-198789/
3 months ago
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‘We’re going to have to break a few eggs’ Grattan Institute housing policy expert Joey Moloney on the dearth of social housing in our most desirable suburbs
#auspol
#springst
www.theage.com.au/property/new...
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Melbourne suburbs that boast the most amenities – but lack one type of home
Some of Melbourne’s desirable inner-city and south-eastern areas have the best access to local services, but new research shows what’s missing.
https://www.theage.com.au/property/news/melbourne-suburbs-that-boast-the-most-amenities-but-lack-one-type-of-home-20250903-p5ms27.html
3 months ago
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The age of incrementalism Grattan Institute CEO Aruna Sathanapally reflects on why big bang policy reform seems so hard these days
#auspol
#ausecon
#productivity
#tax
grattan.edu.au/news/age-of-...
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The age of incrementalism - Grattan Institute
Big bang policy reform may be out, but there are still ways to make Australia fairer and more prosperous.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/age-of-incrementalism/
3 months ago
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Australia’s workforce is almost evenly split between men and women. Yet fewer than 1 in 4 Australians work in a gender-balanced occupation. Jessica Geraghty from Grattan Institute shows why this is bad – for workers, businesses, all of us.
#auspol
#gender
#jobs
grattan.edu.au/news/fixing-...
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Fixing the workforce gender balance is in everyone's interest - Grattan Institute
Turns out, gender-imbalance at work is bad for workers, businesses and the economy.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/fixing-the-workforce-gender-balance-is-in-everyones-interest/
3 months ago
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‘dying’
theconversation.com/local-journa...
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Local journalists and fixers are dying at unprecedented rates in Gaza. Can anyone protect them?
Palestinian journalists do not have access to the same training, equipment or pay as foreign correspondents, despite the fact their lives are on the line in Gaza.
https://theconversation.com/local-journalists-and-fixers-are-dying-at-unprecedented-rates-in-gaza-can-anyone-protect-them-263923?utm_medium=article_native_share
3 months ago
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‘The clear analysis of the failings of the tax system presented by Grattan Institute CEO Aruna Sathanapally at the roundtable did not deserve to be dismissed by the PM as academic talk.’ Julianne Schultz on the fate of the fair go.
#auspol
#inequality
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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The Australian concept of a ‘fair go’ is a furphy – especially when it comes to tax, education and care
For years, policymakers and politicians thought they could square the circle: a market-driven economy with a robust social safety net. But that has become harder
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/31/the-australian-concept-of-a-fair-go-is-a-furphy-tax-education-and-care
3 months ago
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‘Politicians love to talk about how education has the power to change lives. They're right. But Australia's young people are relying on these leaders to believe what they say and deliver what they promise.’ By Jordana Hunter and Nick Parkinson from Grattan Institute
grattan.edu.au/news/school-...
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School report: not good enough - Grattan Institute
Education ministers should lift their ambition for our children.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/school-report-not-good-enough/
3 months ago
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‘For Australia to seize the opportunities that net zero brings, Australians must feel that net zero is theirs. Something done by them and for them, not to them.’ Alison Reeve from Grattan Institute on Australia’s net-zero challenge
#auspol
#climate
#farmers
grattan.edu.au/news/net-zer...
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Net zero: from ambition to action - Grattan Institute
Industry policy and carbon policy will be keys to Australia's great net zero transformation.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/net-zero-from-ambition-to-action/
3 months ago
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Photo
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
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Picture perfect? How one of the best tennis photos of all time was taken at the US Open
Photographer Ray Giubilo’s half terrifying, half sublime one-in-a-million image of Jasmine Paolini had more than an element of fortune to it
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/28/best-tennis-photo-jasmine-paolini-us-open-ray-giubilo?utm_term=68b206c5b41d3304dbd60c4796273f9a&utm_campaign=WeekendMailAus&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=weekendmail_email
3 months ago
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Net zero: why and how Terrific lecture by Alison Reeve from Grattan Institute
grattan.edu.au/news/net-zer...
#auspol
#energy
#climate
#coal
#solar
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Net zero: from ambition to action - Grattan Institute
Industry policy and carbon policy will be keys to Australia's great net zero transformation.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/net-zero-from-ambition-to-action/
3 months ago
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‘Tax reform is hard, not least because of the wall of noise that confronts any attempt to improve the system’ In today’s The Australian, Grattan Institute CEO Aruna Sathanapally tries to break through the wall and put the case for a better tax system
#auspol
grattan.edu.au/news/tax-ref...
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Tax reform is not all about hiking taxes - Grattan Institute
Tax reform is not all about hiking taxes. It’s about seizing the opportunity to have a tax system that better supports growth.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/tax-reform-is-not-all-about-hiking-taxes/
3 months ago
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I know that’s not Trump, and I’m pretty sure it’s not Lisa Cook…
#auspol
#media
3 months ago
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‘Grattan Institute CEO Aruna Sathanapally explained to the Roundtable how younger people pay much more tax than older people even if they have an identical income’ Peter Hartcher on the ‘Holy hell!’ moment in the Cabinet room this week
#auspol
#policy
#reform
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
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Albanese doesn’t share Chalmers’ ambition. He’s got a different one
Even though there’s now an organising principle for this term of government, the PM is unlikely to embrace major reform until circumstances dictate that he should.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-doesn-t-share-chalmers-ambition-he-s-got-a-different-one-20250822-p5mp4e.html
3 months ago
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Tax is the talk of the town today. Here’s Grattan Institute CEO Aruna Sathanapally’s speech to the Economic Reform Roundtable on ‘A Better Tax System’.
#auspol
#ausecon
#wages
#super
#carbon
#GST
grattan.edu.au/news/a-bette...
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A better tax system - Grattan Institute
The budget is not sustainable. We’re burdening our children with unpaid bills and worse choices. It’s time for a mature debate on tax reform.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/a-better-tax-system/
3 months ago
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How bullshit took over the world By Stuart Jeffries
www.afr.com/life-and-lux...
#Trump
#Boris
#etc
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How bullshit took over our lives – and the world
In a post-truth era, the message in Harry Frankfurt’s 2005 essay is more resonant than ever. But how is humbug different from lies?
https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/how-bullshit-took-over-our-lives-and-the-world-20250807-p5ml8v
4 months ago
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‘If we want children to learn more, we need to improve the quality of classroom teaching.’ Jordana Hunter and Amy Haywood from Grattan Institute in today’s Financial Review
grattan.edu.au/news/look-to...
#auspol
#teachers
#schools
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Look to classrooms for a productivity boost - Grattan Institute
In the long run, brain power drives economic growth.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/look-to-classrooms-for-a-productivity-boost/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Brydon Coverdale
4 months ago
Oughtacorrect
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‘It would be a mistake to think that Artificial Intelligence can be a substitute for strong writing, reading, and mathematical reasoning skills.’ Grattan Institute education policy guru Jordana Hunter on the rise of AI in schools
www.afr.com/policy/healt...
#auspol
#teachers
#students
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AI would plan lessons, mark tests under PC schools overhaul
The Productivity Commission is urging the federal government to lead a push to turbocharge the uptake of artificial intelligence in schools.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/ai-would-plan-lessons-mark-tests-under-pc-schools-overhaul-20250811-p5mm1h
4 months ago
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Australia, we need to talk about carbon pricing Analysis by Grattan Institute energy and climate change policy expert Alison Reeve in today’s Financial Review
#auspol
#electricity
grattan.edu.au/news/austral...
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Australia needs to talk about carbon pricing - Grattan Institute
Australia needs to talk about carbon pricing. Here's why.
https://grattan.edu.au/news/australia-needs-to-talk-about-carbon-pricing/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Paul Austin
Dr Dean Burnett
4 months ago
Does the word 'efficiency' really need both of those 'f's?
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A beloved bayside beach is about to change forever – unless you speak up now. Me in The Westsider on how a precious part of Melbourne is under threat from overdevelopment.
#springst
#Williamstown
thewestsider.com.au/williamstown...
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Williamstown beach is about to change forever –unless you speak up now
Act now to save Williamstown Beach from over development and ensure its unique village feel remains for future generations.
https://thewestsider.com.au/williamstown-beach-is-about-to-change-forever-unless-you-speak-up-now/
4 months ago
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