Recent publications in Occasional Paper
The moral value of free markets
Speech from the launch of Richard Morgan's Lessons From The Global Financial Crisis: The Relevance of Adam Smith on Morality and Free Markets. We are here today to launch Richard Morgan's book, a book that applies 18th century wisdom to current...
Palming off livelihoods? The misguided campaign against palm oil
Internationally environmental non-government organisations and activists are campaigning against industry and consumer use of palm oil. Their opposition to is driven by claims that it is unsustainable promotes deforestation and reduces orang-utan...
No Longer Us versus Them
No Longer Us versus Them is a timely research paper that exposes the myths perpetuated by vested interests and populist politicians who argue for protection for domestic jobs, to the detriment of us all.
A growing risk: The impacts and consequences of rising state government employment
The greatest increase in total state public sector staffing has been in the area of government administration. There is also evidence of growth in ‘back office' staff in the key service delivery areas of education, health and policing.
How much do we actually spend on early childhood?
International comparisons of public spending data are ubiquitous in economics. But what do such exercises actually tell us? When performed correctly by economists, international comparisons can often provide useful information and insights into...
Tax Cuts Not Stimulus Spending
Over the course of the 2008-09 financial year the Australian Government took a series of significant fiscal policy decisions which were designed to act as an economic stimulus. This paper asks the following simple hypothetical question: if those...
122 ways towards a Nanny State
The Preventative Health Taskforce released its report on 1 September 2009. With 122 recommendations, it provides a blueprint for the Nanny State in Australia. New laws 1. Food and beverages classification 2. Junk food if self-regulation fails 3....
Does fiscal stimulus work? What Nobel Price winners say
We have been told that ‘you don't need a PhD in economics' to understand why fiscal stimulus packages increase economic activity. Senior government ministers, the Treasury, a host of business economists, and a legion of journalists - amongst...
Five and a half big things Kevin Rudd doesn't understand about the Australian economy
Five and a half big things Kevin Rudd doesn't understand about the Australian economy
Gambling in a Free Society
Presentation to the RSL & Services Clubs National Conference 27 July, 2009 By Richard Allsop Gambling is a pastime that has brought pleasure to free citizens through most of recorded history. I say to free citizens because it is a striking...