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The Point recognises the ancestral connections and custodianship of Traditional Owners throughout Australia. We pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.

©2025 The Point, an initiative of The Australia Institute

Greg Jericho

Greg Jericho is a Walkley Award winning columnist, known for his regular columns for Guardian Australia and social media presence as Grogs Gamut. He is the Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and a policy director at the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work.

LATEST

WHAT'S NEW

MYEFO reveals continued failure of petroleum resource rent tax, gas giants still big winners

The release of the mid-year fiscal and economic outlook (MYEFO) has revealed the cost of the changes to the superannuation tax concessions made by the government and the continued failure of the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax (PRRT) to deliver fair benefits to Australians

Economy
MYEFO reveals continued failure of petroleum resource rent tax, gas giants still big winners

WHAT'S NEW

The rich get tax advice; the poor get lectures: super tax saga lays bare a skewed system

A new report on the amount of revenue expected to be raised by the changes to superannuation tax on balances over $3m highlights yet again how the tax system is weighted in favour of the rich and that the government never gets thanks for doing what conservative forces demand.

Economy
The rich get tax advice; the poor get lectures: super tax saga lays bare a skewed system

WHAT'S NEW

Unemployment holds at 4.3%, but weak labour market tells a different story

Unemployment in November remained steady at 4.3% according to the latest figures out today from the Bureau of Statistics.

Economy
Unemployment holds at 4.3%, but weak labour market tells a different story

WHAT'S NEW

Liberals twist RBA remarks to sell a false narrative on public spending

This week the Liberal Party shamefully misquoted the head of the Reserve Bank in a weak attempt to justify their criticism of government spending.

Economy
Liberals twist RBA remarks to sell a false narrative on public spending

WHAT'S NEW

House prices rise but Melbourne shows a way to improve affordability

The latest housing figures reveal that the in the September quarter the median price for a house in Brisbane surpassed $1million for the first time.

Economy
House prices rise but Melbourne shows a way to improve affordability

OFF THE CHARTS

The latest projection shows Australia is not even close to meeting its 2035 emissions target

Well the Government really is feeling its oats because not only has it released the quarterly emissions figures, it has also released the annual greenhouse gas emissions projections

Climate
The latest projection shows Australia is not even close to meeting its 2035 emissions target

OFF THE CHARTS

The AI boom has arrived in Australia

New economic figures show that the Information media and IT industries are growing at extraordinary rates

Economy
The AI boom has arrived in Australia

OFF THE CHARTS

Four charts that give you the good and bad news of the newest greenhouse gas update

The June quarter greenhouse gas emissions have been released - earlier than expected.

Climate
Four charts that give you the good and bad news of the newest greenhouse gas update

WHAT'S NEW

No such thing as a safe seat as fewer voters than ever stick with the “major parties”

A new survey shows that voter behaviour in Australia has changed radically

Democracy & Accountability
No such thing as a safe seat as fewer voters than ever stick with the “major parties”

OFF THE CHARTS

The public service is not bloated, and cuts will hurt Australians

Two charts that show the context and costs of slashing APS budgets.

Economy
The public service is not bloated, and cuts will hurt Australians

OFF THE CHARTS

Government investment in social housing is helping stabilise rents

Economy
Government investment in social housing is helping stabilise rents

WHAT'S NEW

Contrary to BCA claims, Victoria actually among strongest places for business investment according to actual data

Despite continual demonisation of Victoria’s economy and suggestion that the state is a bad place to invest, the most recent state economy figures show that the Victoria remains a very popular place for businesses.

Economy
Contrary to BCA claims, Victoria actually among strongest places for business investment according to actual data

OFF THE CHARTS

CSIRO 350 job cuts a damning indictment on Government priorities, misses 'golden opportunity' on research

The announcement this week that CSIRO are to cut 350 research jobs is another damning indictment on Australia’s ongoing failure to prioritise research and development.

Economy
CSIRO 350 job cuts a damning indictment on Government priorities, misses 'golden opportunity' on research

WHAT'S NEW

Japan imports Australian gas yet has cheaper electricity than Australia?

The broken nature of Australia energy market has been highlighted by a report that Japanese households pay less for electricity than Australians do, despite Japanese electricity being reliant on Australian imported gas.

ClimateEnvironment
Japan imports Australian gas yet has cheaper electricity than Australia?

WHAT'S NEW

OECD report shows LNP climate irrelevance, while Safeguard Mechanism among least effective emissions reduction schemes in world

The report demonstrates that Australia’s safeguard mechanism remains one of the least effective programs for reducing emissions, and relies the most on carbon credits.

Economy
OECD report shows LNP climate irrelevance, while Safeguard Mechanism among least effective emissions reduction schemes in world

WHAT'S NEW

Overall unemployment falls, but the jobs market remains weak

The fall in unemployment rate effectively rules out any remaining chance of an interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank monetary policy board meets next month

Economy
Overall unemployment falls, but the jobs market remains weak

OPINION

Gough dreamed of a country that never was, and asked why not?

Democracy & Accountability
Gough dreamed of a country that never was, and asked why not?

EXPLAINER

Illegal smoking police raids are being done to raise tax

There is news this week of police raiding illegal tobacco shops in Sydney. This is an interesting story where the issue is not so much about crime as tax.

Society & Culture
Illegal smoking police raids are being done to raise tax

EXPLAINER

Interest rates cuts have reduced the cost of living for employee households

After last week’s inflation figures the government got some good news from today’s Cost of Living figures.

Economy
Interest rates cuts have reduced the cost of living for employee households

OFF THE CHARTS

Question Time: Ted O'Brien finds another rake to step on, explained in 3 charts

The Shadow Treasurer, who you would think would have an easy day given the RBA decided not to cut interest rates, unfortunately keeps finding a rake to step on.

Economy
Question Time: Ted O'Brien finds another rake to step on, explained in 3 charts

OFF THE CHARTS

The energy rebates have stopped, but the cost of fossil fuels keeps electricity prices rising

Electricity price were the biggest reasons for the unexpected jump in the inflation numbers out this week.

Economy
The energy rebates have stopped, but the cost of fossil fuels keeps electricity prices rising

EXPLAINER

Explainer: What is 'National Interest Approval'

This part of the Environment Protection Reform Bill explanatory memorandum is generating rather a lot of interest

EnvironmentClimate
Explainer: What is 'National Interest Approval'

WHAT'S NEW

‘Fireside chat’ with RBA Governor raises more questions

Last night the Governor of the RBA, Michele Bullock had a “fireside chat” at the Australian Business Economists annual dinner.

Economy
‘Fireside chat’ with RBA Governor raises more questions

OFF THE CHARTS

Who is to blame? In energy, the answer is most likely always gas

A report out today in the AFR suggests that “Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter, Tomago, has started a consultation process with employees on the plant’s potential closure”

Economy
Who is to blame? In energy, the answer is most likely always gas

OFF THE CHARTS

The more gas we export, the more it costs Australians in utility prices

Yes, the Queensland gas industry is doing heavy lifting – lifting of gas and electricity prices

EconomyClimate
The more gas we export, the more it costs Australians in utility prices

WHAT'S NEW

RBA makes a major mistake on the job numbers

When the Reserve Bank decided not to cut interest rates at the end of September, numerous reasons were given, but one stands out because it appears to be completely wrong.

Economy
RBA makes a major mistake on the job numbers

OPINION

The RBA has finally gotten unemployment to 4.5% - but this never should have been the goal

The evidence is now clear that the current level is still slowing the economy.

Economy
The RBA has finally gotten unemployment to 4.5% - but this never should have been the goal

OPINION

Donald Trump's new film tariff isn't exactly showstopping

Here's what Trump hasn't thought through - and why the threat rings hollow.

International AffairsSociety & Culture
Donald Trump's new film tariff isn't exactly showstopping

OPINION

There's few easier ways to demonstrate the inequality of Australia’s tax system than 'wealth advice' columns in Australia's major papers

Last week the Australian Financial Review’s wealth column advised wealthy Australians of a way to put more money into superannuation, but which in truth was just another example of how the system is being abused.

Economy
There's few easier ways to demonstrate the inequality of Australia’s tax system than 'wealth advice' columns in Australia's major papers

OFF THE CHARTS

Australia uses more gas to process exported gas than for domestic power generation or manufacturing

Australia does not have a natural gas shortage.

Climate
Australia uses more gas to process exported gas than for domestic power generation or manufacturing

WHAT'S NEW

Employment rates are falling, but that's the RBA's plan

It now sadly appears that we have said goodbye to unemployment below 4%. It was, however, a level of unemployment the Reserve Bank believed was not sustainable.

Economy
Employment rates are falling, but that's the RBA's plan

WHAT'S NEW

Jim Chalmers' Wellbeing Framework a worthy aim, but still a big miss

The release of latest “Measuring What Matters” figures reveals we still have a very long way to go before developing a true wellbeing framework.

Society & CultureEconomy
Jim Chalmers' Wellbeing Framework a worthy aim, but still a big miss

OPINION

Business groups want the government to overhaul the tax system? Excellent – we have some ideas

The landslide win by the ALP has seen business groups come out demanding the government listen to their demands despite having provided them no support, and plenty of opposition, over the past 3 years.

Economy
Business groups want the government to overhaul the tax system? Excellent – we have some ideas

OFF THE CHARTS

Private health insurance is for the rich – the rest would rather better public health

ATO figures show that private health insurance is favoured by the rich and it should be subject to GST.

EconomySociety & Culture
Private health insurance is for the rich – the rest would rather better public health