What I've been doing and saying
After recovering from my broken wrist, I decided it was finally time to attend a large in-person meeting, on Basic Income, where I presented a paper. Although I wore a mask, I still tested positive for Covid a few days later. Very mild symptoms (maybe a benefit of four rounds of vaccination), but I stayed in isolation for more than a week, and set my training back even further.
The political news has mostly been bad. It almost seemed that the Albanese government was going to bite the bullet and scale back the Stage 3 tax cuts, but it wasn’t to be. As a result, the leadup to the Budget has seen some minimal announcements, rather than the usual leaks of major action. There will be some reallocation of the pork-barrel grants programs from the previous government. Apart from that, and a modest extension of parental leave, which won’t even start until 2024, we can’t expect much.
I’ve put in a submission to an ACT inquiry into the 4-day week, which I’ll link to once it’s accepted.
I also two events related to the idea of a Livable Income Guarantee. On Tuesday 20 September, a webinar on The Liveable Income Guarantee - The Missing Link in Social Security? with Senator Janet Rice and Prof Gaby Ramia the the 21st annual Congress of the Basic Income Earth Network. Links to my presentations here and here
I’m still working on submissions for the White Paper on Employment (which may yet be on Full Employment, as originally promised), and the inquiry into the Reserve Bank of Australia
<h3>Latest articles</h3>
The tax cut promise that must now be broken Independent Australia, 23 August
Scrapping Stage 3 tax cuts is essential, but won’t be an easy ride Independent Australia, 5 September
The most important cryptocurrency event in years is about to begin – and the biggest windfall goes to the planet The Conversation 5 September
Income redistribution or social insurance? A federal MP considers the future of the welfare state The Conversation 8 September
The pros and cons of an Australian president Independent Australia, 21 September
Stage 3 tax cuts: The fight is on Independent Australia, 5 October
Go with the grain: Governments haven’t caught up with the fact that the economy has changed forever Inside Story, 13 October
In sticking with tax cuts divorced from reality, Labor is left with a hard choice, The Conversation 17 October