Government Archives - Michael West

Particracy Rules: the triumph of clever politics over leadership

by Kim Wingerei -- 14 Oct 2019 -- Comment Analysis, Government

We live in a particracy – the party-room rules and we are run by clever politicians, not leaders with courage and the fortitude to make tough decisions.

True Lies: Mathias Cormann caught by his own department for economic fairy tales

by Alan Austin -- 14 Oct 2019 -- Finance, Government, The Economy

Mathias Cormann has been exposed for gilding the lily by a report from his own government department, or maybe he just got the facts wildly wrong. The report proved Australia’s Finance Minister wrong on Australia’s gross debt, net worth, taxation levels, infrastructure, government spending and the surplus

Homes Alone: despite record rates, Australia lags world as housing crisis grips

by Alan Austin -- 11 Oct 2019 -- Featured, Government, The Economy

Thinking of building a new house? Well, you are among millions worldwide doing exactly that right now. But you are probably not an Australian. Alan Austin reports.

Frank and fearless advice? Stop political donations from government consultants

by Tom Ravlic -- 27 Sep 2019 -- Comment Analysis, Government

The Coalition’s binge on consultants to replace “frank and fearless” advice from public servants has earned it the nickname The Dairy

Budget repair well under way? Not so fast Josh Frydenberg

by Alan Austin -- 22 Sep 2019 -- Government, The Economy

The federal Government is desperate to depict the 2018-19 budget finalised on Thursday as evidence of a sound economy and budget repair well underway. It proves the opposite. Alan Austin reports.

Mates Deal: ASIC tweaks the law, #Watergate data buried

by Michael West -- 21 Sep 2019 -- Business, Government

The company at the centre of the #Watergate scandal has been gifted a cushy exemption from filing financial reports by the corporate regulator.

Corporatocracy: inside the Cash Ban

by Michael West -- 20 Sep 2019 -- Comment Analysis, Finance, Government

The Government and Opposition are about to push through laws to hobble the cash economy, laws based on advice from KPMG. Michael West looks at the real reasons behind the jihad on cash.

MW30: Josh Frydenberg’s quest for a surplus holds a nation to ransom

by Michael West -- 19 Sep 2019 -- Finance, Government

The Morrison Government has put the entire economy at risk to get his “balanced budget”. Instead of spending to revive a floundering economy, the Treasurer has sat on his hands for months to pull off a surplus and grab the political bragging rights

Money for Jam Land: enviro review not as independent as it’s Craik’ed up to be?

by Jommy Tee and Ronni Salt -- 17 Sep 2019 -- Environment, Government

To allow the poisoning of critically endangered grasslands by a company which he part-owned, Angus Taylor pushed to have the environment legislation reviewed. The review was chaired by Dr Wendy Craik, a regular reviewer for government. Will it be a “win-win” for the wealthy financier?

Australia a classic study in how not to build a productive economy

by Alan Austin -- 16 Sep 2019 -- Government, The Economy

Productivity has tanked under this Government and Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, is floundering. Result? Australia is providing a class study in what not to do to build a productive economy. Alan Austin reports.

Trump ends talk with Taliban leaving Aussie troops in limbo in Afghanistan

by Clinton Fernandes -- 15 Sep 2019 -- Government

Last weekend, following a suicide car bomb attack in Afghanistan, President Trump announced he had cancelled a secret meeting with Taliban leaders and Afghan president. His campaign promise to withdraw American troops from an 18-year conflict is now in limbo meaning Australia probably won’t withdraw its continent either. Clinton Fernandez reports.

Smoke and Mirrors: how the ABS tarted up the numbers for Josh Frydenberg

by Michael West -- 13 Sep 2019 -- Government, The Economy

Someone is not getting their funding cut. It’s the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Quiet Australians! It has been a week, and nobody seems to have noticed, but the front page of the GDP release has been doctored