I'm in Belém for #COP30, where tens of thousands of people are working together to progress #climate action across every possible domain, as we get closer to midnight on this existential crisis. Meanwhile in Australia, the Coaltion backpedals, because their only zero target is respect for science.🙄

Hmmm, I think governments are more often than not interested in appeasing powerful vested interests, such as fossil fuel producers, gaming and racing lobbies etc. If they were getting us to what is "best" we wouldn't have half the issues we do today
P.S I don't claim all boomers are winners ;)

A new report highlights the staggering truth about wage inequality in Australia. Here’s what we need to do better | Nicki Hutley This is a lucky country for many, with enviable living standards. But our wealth is not shared equally

There's been a lot of talk in recent weeks about how to grow the economic pie. Very little has been said about how that pie is distributed, in a period of rising #inequality. For a wealthy country, we leave far too many behind. My latest piece.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

It’s time Australia ditched the ‘winners and losers’ mentality and built an economy that’s good for us all | Nicki Hutley When it comes to policy decisions, too many are too quick to focus on what’s in it for them, instead of what is best for society as a whole

Big #policy reforms often come with costs to some that can't always be managed. Until we address the 'winners vs losers' mindset we risk more policy paralysis. My take on the #roundtable. Spoiler alert, #Abundance doesn't have all the answers!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Interest rate cuts are welcome but can't solve our economic malaise alone. But can households lift their heads from personal worries to support economy-wide change needed to deliver #productivity? My latest in the Guardian on this. #Ausecon #RBA
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I had to Google this to check it wasn't AI-generated fake news!

Protecting the environment has always made economic sense. Now we have proof | Nicki Hutley The failures of our environmental protection laws mean we are not only failing nature but also undermining productivity – at a huge cost

Another call out to Dr Ken Henry's plea for #nature restoration and #climateaction. Especially vital now as the fed govt faces big decisions on #EPBC Act reform and our #NetZero 2035 targets, ahead of #COP30. I wrote on these issues in @australia.theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Watching Dr Ken Henry at the #NationalPressClub. This is the first time a fellow economist has brought me to tears. Such an impassioned speech for the #environment and need for #EPBC #reform Project by project assessment is "nuts". This is our "last best chance."

The RBA’s decision to hold rates isn’t a calamity, but its shift in language is confounding – and worrying | Nicki Hutley One minute we are told inflation is in the bag, seven weeks later we are worried that it’s not. This change in tone erodes trust

Some thoughts on the #RBA rates decision yesterday. I wasn't so shocked by the call to hold, as by the reason for the decision
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Australia's May #CPI has delivered an opportunity for the #RBA to cut rates again in July, with a well-below market forecast for both headline and underlying #inflation. But a cut next month shouldn't be seen as a fait accompli, given the volatility of monthly reads and labour market strength

Quote of the day:
“Too often, the loudest calls for economic reform in the abstract come from the noisiest opponents of actual reform in the specific.” Well said Jim Chalmers. #taxreform #auspol #ausecon

I'm coming to the conclusion that #humanity is reaching what I call 'peak stupid'. We seem hell-bent on destroying life on earth. And for what? My optimism levels are severely depleted today. Happy thoughts welcome!

I wish people would stop talking about "believing" in #climatechange. Do we suggest we "believe" in gravity? Science, people. Also, just take a look at the number and size of unnatural #disasters we are already experiencing. #ABCinsiders

Excellent article on proposed #superannuation changes, covering all the key issues. In a nutshell, the superwealthy don't have a leg to stand on, but are still going to whine about paying their fair #tax share. Thanks, Mike Seccombe and @thesaturdaypaper.com.au

Drill, baby, drill 😢

Labor approves extension of Woodside’s contentious North West Shelf gas development Murray Watt will approve the extension of one of the world’s biggest liquified natural gas projects from 2030 to 2070

Drill, baby, drill. Albo repeats the Trump mantra as Watt drops a #carbon bomb twice the size of Coalition's #nuclear lunacy #climateemergency #gas #auspol #climatechange
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

This is from today's Fin Review. Not even pretending mega #super balances are anything other than a #tax shelter & nothing to do with retirement. But listen to vested interests whine at the idea the average Aussie taxpayer might stop funding these inequitable lurks. Makes my blood boil! #auspol

#RBA tone with today's interest rate cut is decidedly more dovish than we've seen in a long time. "Uncertainty" appeared 8 times, & #growth, #employment & #inflation forecasts all lower in SoMP

AEC calls it for @nicboele.bsky.social in Bradfield. The margin is just 40 votes, so will go to a full recount. But her Liberal opponent jumped the gun going to Canberra to vote for the new leader last week. Ooops #auspol

It's a good piece, but how would a genuinely multi-issue Greens party appeal to a wider audience to get lower house seats when Labour has the centre-left(ish) tied up. I'm happy to see the ALP pushed on climate action from the Senate

Ah, the media. The AFR keeps referring to the Libs as "centre-right". The centre has been out of sight for a very long time - including from the AFR!

Four critical energy and climate must-do’s in Labor’s second term Tackling climate change and driving the energy transition may not have been top of mind for voters, but these issues will define how the government is judged in the decades ahead.

Considered piece on #NetZero by Tony Wood.
4 key actions needed. Robust #Climate & #Industry policies, #energy market #infrastructure, and managing #gas demand & supply.
"This was never going to be cheap and easy, but it does not have to be too hard or too expensive."
www.afr.com/policy/energ...

Climate Risk Map of Australia An interactive tool that localises climate change impacts in Australia allowing you to find out the potential damage risk in your area.

Tonight on SBS Insight (8.30), I join a group of experts and people who are living the trauma of #climate #disasters on #insurance affordability crisis. This follows the release of Climate Council's risk map tool and report. See how your own suburb fares www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/cl...

Totally agree they need to crack on, especially on climate. But a functioning democracy needs different (reasonable, rational) points of view. I hope the Independents can fill that role now, but they are an eclectic mix.

Australia has voted and said a resounding No! to culture wars, climate denial, and Trumpism. The Government has a huge task ahead on economy, environment and society, but I feel renewwd optimism #auspol #auspol25

Election Policy Scorecard: How do the biggest parties measure up on climate policy? | Climate Council Curious as to where the three largest political parties in Australia stand on climate and energy policy? Look no further! The federal election is around the corner, and it’s clear the next term of the...

Hi Charles, if you want to compare climate policies, check this out.
www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/el...

Every Australian should understand what's happening in political funding. The right call out Climate200 funding of genuine Independents, which is actually crowd funding. We should be far more scared about groups like Atlas. #Auspol #Auspol25

No surprise there. Remember, Dutton says he's "not a scientist". But then, he's also not an economist or lawyer so, by his own logic, we shouldn't be putting him in charge of economic policy or any legislation #auspol

The two propositions are not mutually exclusive!

It's ridiculous how much time they are giving McKenzie vs Butler.