Economics Explored

Show host Gene Tunny is joined by Arthur Petropoulos, founder and managing partner of Hill View Partners, a company specializing in mergers and acquisitions, business sales, and capital advisory services for middle market companies. They discuss how Arthur finds, values, and sells businesses, as well as the wider economic impacts of his work and the role of private equity. They also explore whether we should be concerned about modern-day Gordon Gekkos and how the business landscape has changed since the 1980s. Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. What’s covered in EP211Business sales and capital raising with Hillview Partners. (1:22)Business brokering process and outreach strategies. (5:18)Business valuation and acquisition strategies. (8:10)Buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions. (14:47)Business sale process and foreign investment constraints. (17:34)Selling a business, focusing on narrative and information sharing. (24:18)Private company sales and legal risks. (28:00)The role of capital markets in the economy. (38:05)Private equity's role in the economy, including pros and cons. (44:10)Links relevant to the conversationAbout this episode’s guest Arthur Petropoulos:https://hillviewps.com/leadership/Arthur’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZu4Nl6i5IseEJBqp1IPd3gHill View Partners social media:https://www.linkedin.com/company/hillviewpartners/

Journalist Walter Marsh talks about his new book "Young Rupert: The Making of the Murdoch Empire." Walter and show host Gene Tunny discuss Rupert Murdoch's early years in Adelaide, South Australia and how they shaped his later career. From challenging established systems to becoming a globally influential media mogul, Murdoch's career has been highly controversial.  Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Walter MarshWalter Marsh is a journalist based in Tarntanya/Adelaide with a background in history and culture. A former editor and staff writer at The Adelaide Review and Rip It Up, his writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Monthly, The Saturday Paper, and InDaily.What’s covered in EP210Rupert Murdoch's career and the making of the Murdoch empire. (0:00)Rupert Murdoch's life and career. (3:09)The origins of Rupert Murdoch's media empire in Adelaide. (8:16)Newspaper circulation wars in Adelaide. (14:01)The business strategies of a successful entrepreneur. (20:28)A controversial murder case and its aftermath in Australia. (23:35)A historical libel trial involving Rupert Murdoch and his newspaper. (28:09)Media, power, and ethics in the Rupert Murdoch era. (33:20)Rupert Murdoch's legacy. (38:15)Links relevant to the conversationYou can purchase Young Rupert via Amazon:https://www.amazon.com.au/Young-Rupert-making-Murdoch-empire/dp/1761380044Author’s website:https://waltermarsh.com.au/

Show host Gene Tunny speaks with students from the University of Queensland Politics, Philosophy and Economics Society. They discuss topics such as private versus public sector jobs, the future of consulting, and the risks of outsourcing for government officials. Gene takes an historical perspective and goes back to the time of convict transportation to Australia. He also talks about, among other things, his time working in Treasury during the Rudd Government, and how psychology is relevant to economics. The students express concerns about the consulting sector in light of a recent scandal involving PwC partners misusing confidential government information.Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. What’s covered in EP209Economics career paths and differences between public service and consulting. (3:04)Consulting industry challenges and scandals. (15:39)Outsourcing in government and potential mitigation of risks. (17:50)Greedflation. (28:30)Limits of economics as a discipline. (33:59)Public vs private sector work experiences. (38:22)Government consulting and ethics. (43:48)Links relevant to the conversationAbout UQPPES:https://uqppes.com.au/about-us/On how badly designed outsourcing of convict transportation created the ‘death fleet’, see:https://www.themandarin.com.au/73989-contracts-and-convicts-how-perverse-incentives-created-the-death-fleet/

Show host Gene Tunny delves into the concept of Degrowth: the idea of deliberately shrinking economies to avoid the runaway climate change, ecological collapse, and societal breakdown that degrowth proponents are worried about. Gene first discusses degrowth with Oliver Hartwich from the New Zealand Initiative, and then responds to questions about degrowth at a recent University of Queensland Politics, Philosophy, and Economics student event. Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Dr Oliver Hartwich, NZ InitiativeDr Oliver Hartwich is the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative. Before joining the Initiative, he was a Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, the Chief Economist at Policy Exchange in London, and an advisor in the UK House of Lords. Oliver holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Business administration and a PhD in Law from Bochum University in Germany.What’s covered in EP208[00:04:39] Degrowth to stop climate change? [00:08:00] Economic growth and adaptation to climate change? [00:11:53] How a threatened lungfish colony stopped a new dam in South East Queensland. [00:15:47] Are we rich enough already? [00:20:20] Democratization of wealth and prosperity. [00:24:05] Economic growth as a positive. [00:30:39] Carbon pricing. [00:34:10] Decreasing Antarctic sea ice extent.Links relevant to the conversationGene’s September 2023 Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) paper on Degrowth:https://www.cis.org.au/publication/debunking-degrowth/NZ Initiative podcast from which part 1 of this episode was borrowed:https://www.nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/podcasts/podcast-debunking-degrowth/Full transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.

Host Gene Tunny chats with Dr. Nicholas Gruen about economic forecasting and what recommendations former US Fed Chair Ben Bernanke could make in his current review of forecasting at the Bank of England. Nicholas, the CEO of Lateral Economics, discusses the shortcomings of economic forecasting and shares his insights into how it can be improved. The conversation was inspired by Nicholas's article in the Financial Times titled "How to Improve Economic Forecasting." The episode is split into two parts, with the second part focusing on the feedback Nicholas received on his article. Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Nicholas GruenDescribed by the Financial Times’ Chief Economic Writer Martin Wolf as “a brilliant man who deserves to be better known”, and by former Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner as “Australia’s foremost public intellectual”, Dr Nicholas Gruen is a policy economist, entrepreneur and commentator on our economy, society and innovation.What’s covered in EP207[00:02:13] Ben Bernanke’s review of economic forecasting at the Bank of England. [00:05:23] Hedgehogs and foxes. [00:09:36] Long-term issues with economic forecasting. [00:13:18] Improving economic forecasting techniques. [00:19:29] Forecasting accuracy. [00:24:30] Open sourcing economic forecasting. [00:26:29] Developing a forecasting market. [00:34:21] Tetlockian forecasting tournaments. [00:48:37] Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame at the Bank of England.Links relevant to the conversationVideo versions of the conversations featured in this episode on Nicholas’s YouTube channel:https://youtu.be/uJNU8z9148w?si=lk4jfQMWkVx1__Lehttps://youtu.be/KflFvpeC3iI?si=sFOaNruFTMet802jInformation on the Bank of England’s Citizens’ Panels/Forums:https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/get-involved/citizens-panelshttps://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/get-involved/citizens-panels/the-uk-economy-insights-from-the-bank-of-englands-citizens-panelsMandarin column in which Nicholas declares former Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane was “my favourite public servant in all the world”:https://www.themandarin.com.au/87423-now-time-complacency-rba-vs-bank-england-edition/Full transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.

Tucker Perkins, head of the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), talks about the energy transformation we are currently experiencing with Economics Explored host Gene Tunny. Tucker advocates for renewable propane and for other sustainable liquid fuels in the future energy mix. The conversation also touches on the potential role of nuclear energy in achieving net zero emissions. Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Tucker PerkinsTucker is the president and chief executive officer of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), and his vision for the future is best explained by his own podcast’s title: “Path to Zero.” A firm believer that climate change is real and man-made,Tucker advocates for all energy solutions that will create a cleaner and healthier environment today and into the future. Zero emissions is a goal we can all get behind,but how do we meet the world’s growing energy demands AND reduce carbon in the atmosphere? Tucker believes the best and most realistic wayforward is a wide path that incorporates renewables and clean liquid fuels, such as propane, to accelerate decarbonization and reach our climate goals as soon as possible.Tucker’s insights and theories are backed by his 30+ years of work in the propane industry. He operated his own propane retail company, Premier Propane, and has held executive positions at Columbia Propane, CleanFuel USA and Inergy Propane. Tucker is active with many industry organizations, including the National Propane Gas Association, World LP Gas Association, Industrial TruckAssociation and Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.What’s covered in EP206[00:05:43] Energy transformation and low carbon fuels. [00:09:24] Propane-powered trucks and environmental impact. [00:13:30] Cruise ships moving to LNG. [00:18:21] The role of gas in the energy transformation. [00:21:13] Choosing cleaner energy options. [00:33:16] Nuclear power and the grid. [00:38:40] Energy transformation and renewable fuels.Links relevant to the conversationTucker’s Path to Zero podcastFull transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.

Professor Gigi Foster talks about her paper "COVID's Cohort of Losers" which argues that COVID lockdowns and other restrictions disproportionately imposed costs on young people with few offsetting benefits. Gigi is a Professor of Economics at the University of New South Wales, Sydney and was named the 2019 Young Economist of the Year by the Economic Society of Australia.Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Gigi FosterGigi Foster is a Professor with the School of Economics at the University of New South Wales, having joined UNSW in 2009 after six years at the University of South Australia.  Formally educated at Yale University (BA in Ethics, Politics, and Economics) and the University of Maryland (PhD in Economics), she works in diverse fields including education, social influence, corruption, lab experiments, time use, behavioural economics, and Australian policy.  Gigi’s research contributions regularly inform public debates and appear in both specialised and cross-disciplinary outlets (e.g., Quantitative Economics, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Journal of Population Economics, Journal of Economic Psychology, Human Relations).  Her teaching, featuring strategic innovation and integration with research, was awarded a 2017 Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.  Named 2019 Young Economist of the Year by the Economic Society of Australia, Gigi has filled numerous roles of service to the profession and engages heavily on economic matters with the Australian community.  As one of Australia’s leading economics communicators, her regular media appearances include co-hosting The Economists, a national economics talk-radio program and podcast series premiered in 2018, with Peter Martin AM on ABC Radio National.What’s covered in EP205Intro to the cost and benefits of lockdowns. (3:22)Quality adjusted life year (QALY) and WELLBY. (8:07)Fear and the crowd. (13:47)The history of the cordon sanitaire. (16:58)How many lives were saved? (22:14)The cost and benefits of lock-downs. (27:25)The economics of the lockdown. (34:24)How do we determine the severity of pandemics? (36:25)The difference between the 1918 flu and COVID-19. (41:18)Citizen juries. (46:35)New laws about misinformation and disinformation. (49:45)Health and good nutrition. (56:01)Links relevant to the conversationGigi’s paper for CIS:https://www.cis.org.au/publication/covids-cohort-of-losers-the-intergenerational-burden-of-the-governments-coronavirus-response/Information on WELLBYs:HM Treasury’s Wellbeing Guidance for Appraisal: Supplementary Green Book GuidanceFull transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.

Serial entrepreneur and executive coach Rick Yvanovich talks about his new book "Business as Unusual: How to Thrive in the New Renaissance." Rick argues that the world is continuing to undergo a massive shift and that there is no going back to normal. He shares his insights on the mindsets, habits, and skills necessary to succeed in this new era. The conversation also touches on Rick's journey to Vietnam, where he currently resides, and what it was like living in Saigon during the pandemic. Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Rick YvanovichEntrepreneur, Techie, Brit, baby boomer, bean counter in: supermarkets, accounting profession, breweries, newsagents, defence manufacturing, IT, Talent, F&B, property development and BP, in the UK, China, Singapore, Switzerland and Vietnam. Posted to BP China as Finance Manager, then to BP Vietnam in 1990 making him likely the longest Brit and one of the most seasoned expats in Vietnam.Fellow Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Fellow CPA Australia, MSc Strategic Business Management (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK), Certified Coaching and Mentoring Professional (CCMP), Certified Master Coach (CMC).Treasurer & Board Member BritCham Vietnam, Vice-Chair AMCHAM HCMC DEC (Digital Economy) Group, Chairman Industry Advisory Committee RMIT Vietnam, founder/co-founder/investor/advisor of multiple start-ups.Regular speaker for Talent, Coaching, Accounting, Digital Transformation, Project Management, Doing Business in Vietnam.For further info about Rick, check out:https://www.rickyvanovich.com/about/What’s covered in EP204[00:01:45] Rick’s career and journey to Vietnam[00:08:00] Business as Unusual. [00:13:27] The great reshuffle. [00:16:29] The impact of lockdowns in Saigon. [00:25:01] Technological advancement. [00:29:19] Climate change and AI. [00:33:24] How to Thrive in the New Renaissance. [00:36:11] How AI helps you overcome the tyranny of the blank page. [00:41:06] Reflecting on life during COVID. [00:46:19] Zoom calls as a lifeline during COVID. Links relevant to the conversationRick’s book Business as Unusual:https://www.rickyvanovich.com/books/bauu-book-series/Article on “How AI is helping airlines mitigate the climate impact of contrails”:https://blog.google/technology/ai/ai-airlines-contrails-climate-change/  Full transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.

Host Gene Tunny and Simon Cowan from the Centre for Independent Studies discuss housing affordability and greedflation in the CIS’s Sydney HQ. They delve into recent articles written by Simon on these topics and explore the factors contributing to unaffordable housing (e.g. zoning and other supply restrictions) and why the greedflation thesis is wrong. Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Simon CowanSimon Cowan is Research Director at the CIS. He is a leading commentator on policy and politics, with a regular column in the Canberra Times newspaper, frequent interviews on Sky and the ABC, and multiple appearances before parliamentary committees discussing the budget, citizenship, taxation and health policy. He has written extensively on government spending and fiscal policy, with a specific focus on welfare and superannuation policy. He earlier work focused on government industry policy, defence and regulation.His latest work includes Attitudes to a post-Covid Australia and Millennials and Super: the case for voluntary superannuation. Some of his other works include a co-authored report on pensions, a deep dive into the Universal Basic Income, and a 2012 piece arguing that Australia should acquire nuclear submarines from the Americans.What’s covered in EP203The problem with housing affordability. (4:56)High property prices and housing affordability. (10:02)Should we cap migration to improve housing affordability? (14:24)The role of public/social housing. (19:12)Shared equity schemes. (24:15)Home ownership as a key milestone on the way to retirement. (29:09)Local government regulations and housing affordability. (35:06)The Greedflation hypothesis and why it’s wrong. (39:04)Links relevant to the conversationSimon’s Canberra Times articles on housing affordability and greedflation:The Coalition can create generational voting change by tackling housing affordability - The Centre for Independent Studies'Greedflation' myth hides real causes of inflation - The Centre for Independent StudiesImages from the Bill Leak room including a poem from Sir Les Patterson (i.e. Barry Humphries):Sir Les with Bill Leak.jpgSir Les's poem about Bill Leak part 1.jpgSir Les's poem about Bill Leak part 2.jpgPast Economics Explored episode discussing wage-price spiral mentioned by Gene:https://economicsexplored.com/2022/06/14/stagflation-be-alert-not-alarmed-ep143-transcript/Transcript of Q&A session following Phil Lowe’s speech in Brisbane in July 2023 during which Gene asked the RBA Governor about Greedflation:https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2023/sp-gov-2023-07-12-q-and-a-transcript.htmlFull transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.

A conversation regarding the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, with Andrew Murdoch, the Managing Director of Arche Energy. Andrew shares his positive outlook and realistic insights into the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the electricity grid. He also advocates for being open to a range of options, including nuclear power and carbon capture and storage.Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contact@economicsexplored.com or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. About this episode’s guest: Andrew MurdochAndrew Murdoch is the Founder and Managing Director of Arche Energy. Andrew has been operating in technical-commercial roles in the Queensland National Electricity Market (NEM) Zone since it was first founded over 20 years ago. In 2017, he founded Arche Energy to provide a high-quality clean energy, power and infrastructure consultancy to facilitate investment in the clean energy sector. He is an experienced general manager, project director and engineer operating in renewable power, power generation, energy, ports and heavy infrastructure.His experience spans business development activities, major approvals, project execution, operations and maintenance and decommissioning. Andrew is an innovator and optimiser thriving in changing environments through the adaptation and integration of emerging and innovative technologies into business applications.What’s covered in EP202How is the transition to net zero going? (1:59)The problem with intermittent generation. (7:36)Transitioning from one energy source to another. (13:40)Traditional hydro & pumped hydro. (16:08)Geotechnical risks in construction. (20:11)The infrastructure challenge. (24:00)Zero marginal cost power. (30:23) The role of nuclear energy in the transition to net zero. (45:42)Links relevant to the conversationPrevious Economics Explored episodes relevant to this episode:The Aussie electricity market malfunction of June 2022 – EP156 – Economics ExploredSir David Hendry on economic forecasting & the net zero transition – EP198Thanks to Obsidian Productions for mixing the episode and to the show’s sponsor, Gene’s consultancy business www.adepteconomics.com.au. Full transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.