What I've been doing and saying: May 2023

Before talking about economics and politics, I’d like to plug my big annual fundraising event. It’s the MS MS Brissie to the Bay raising funds to help people living with multiple sclerosis. I’ve signed up to cycle 130km, which is at the outside limit of my physical capacity. You can encourage me by donating at my fundraising page and helping me reach my $2500 target.

I’m not planning any other events until the Sunshine Coast 70.3 (1.9km swim, 90km cycle, 21.1km run, added up and converted to miles) in September. After a heat-affected performance in Mooloolaba in March, the return of cool weather has made a big difference to my training, particularly running. So, I’m hoping to come in somewhere near my PB of 6:22, which I ran in 2021. But I’m going to have to concede a bit to the aging process, so I’d pleased with anything close to 6:30.

I’ve found Australian politics particularly depressing recently. After showing a bit of promise in the second half of last year, the Albanese government has delivered disappointment after disappointment. Much of my writing has been in response to policy failures, including

• The decision to fund an unnecessary stadium in Hobart, using resources that could be devoted to housing;

• The Reserve Bank Review, which endorsed the failed policy of inflation targeting;

• Albanese’s interview with rightwing hack Piers Morgan, including a gratuitous swipe at trans people;

• Plibersek’s approval of four climate-destroying coal mines, and the attempt to soften the blow by rejecting a couple of projects that had been dead for years; and, finally

• The 2023-24 Budget, which abandoned Albanese’s election commitment to full employment, instead talking about inflation and surpluses. The government was shamed into offering a small increase in Jobseeker benefit, but it was a close-run thing,

Responding to all this I’ve been writing lots of gloomy opinion pieces, listed below.

On a more positive note, the push for a four-day standard working week continues to gain momentum. I took part in an event organised by the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) which went very well. I’m keenly awaiting data from the Australian trials being organised by 4DWGlobal. I’m hoping to focus more on these issues, and less on partisan politics from now on.

Articles

A simple solution but not an easy one. The Guardian 20 April, .

Electric vehicles: Time to get out of the slow lane. Inside Story 20 April.

The RBA review ignores the global failure of inflation management to prevent financial chaos. The Guardian 20 April, .

Younger voters and Independents could spell end of two-party system. Independent Australia 21 April,

Albanese needs to rethink Labor strategies to secure voters. Independent Australia 5 May, .

Job creation isn’t always a good thing. Hobart’s new stadium can only make Tasmania’s housing crisis worse. The Conversation, 4 May.

Here’s what should — but won’t — be in tomorrow’s disappointing federal budget, Crikey, May 8.

A simple solution but not an easy one. The Guardian 20 April, .

What would a Coalition or Labor minority government have delivered in the budget? , Crikey, May 11.

Yes, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved a coal mine. But save the angst for decisions that matter more. , The Conversation, 15 May.

The Albanese government has quietly abandoned full employment. , Inside Story, 15 May.

Media report

My media report for April 2023 (password is “quiggin”)