The Economy, Stupid cover image

The Economy, Stupid

The end of 'The Money'

Dec 12, 2024
Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission, provides a deep dive into Australia's economic landscape, reflecting on nine years of change. She discusses the decline of cash transactions and the shift to telehealth post-COVID. The conversation also tackles the staggering losses from poker machines, highlighting the toll on vulnerable individuals. Wood further explores the concept of 'inheritocracy' and how property ownership deepens class divides, stressing the need for urgent market solutions to tackle these pressing issues.
29:05

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Australia's economy is grappling with stagnation and long-standing issues like low wages growth, despite recent improvements in unemployment rates.
  • The shift towards remote work and reduced cash transactions signifies a fundamental transformation in daily life and economic interactions post-pandemic.

Deep dives

Enduring Economic Challenges

The Australian economy has faced persistent issues since 2016, such as stagnation, sluggish investment, and slow wages growth, which remain central to ongoing discussions today. Despite some improvements, such as a decrease in unemployment rates to the low fours, many macroeconomic challenges, including government budget deficits and long-term financial sustainability, continue to be prevalent. The government has attempted to foster innovation while addressing concerns about reliance on traditional sectors like mining, emphasizing the need for new competitive advantages in emerging industries. The conversation now increasingly surrounds whether Australia can establish itself as a renewable energy superpower amidst these long-standing economic debates.

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