The Australian Economy
Australia hasn’t had a recession – in the widely used sense of two or more consecutive quarters of negative real GDP growth – since 1991. Since then, Australia’s ranking among nations in terms of per capita GDP has risen from 22nd to, in the last four years, either 12th or 13th, behind only the United States, Norway, Switzerland and a number of other smaller states which are predominantly either oil producers or financial centres. Australia’s economic performance reflects a combination of luck and management – the relative importance and quality of which have varied significantly from time to time. Monitoring the performance of and analysing the prospects for the Australian economy has been the major part of my ‘day job’ since I completed my university degree in 1979.
Interim Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee on the Fiscal Sustainability of the ACT
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 2nd March 2026At the beginning of last month Saul was engaged by the Australian Capital Territory’s Legislative Assembly as a Special Advisor to the Select Committee on the Fiscal Sustainability of the ACT, which was established in December last year. Saul’s interim report was presented to the Committee on 27th February. . The Final Report is due […]
Submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into The Worst Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far (aka “the WA GST deal”).
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 5th January 2026The Productivity Commission has been asked to inquire into what I’ve called The Worst (Australian) Public Policy Decision of the 21st Century Thus Far – namely, the Orwellianly-titled Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Every State and Territory Gets Their Fair Share of GST) Act 2018, legislated by the Morrison Government (with the support of the […]
The Australian Economy in 2025-26: Presentation to Economics Teachers
Economic Policies, The Australian Economy | 24th November 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to the Victorian Commercial Teachers’ Association “CommView 2025” conference in Melbourne on 25th November 2025. In addition to discussing various aspects of the Australian economy in 2025-26 it also looks at: the very different implications for Australia, compared with other ‘advanced’ economies, of the rapid growth and industrialization of China over the […]
Global Megatrends, the Australian Economy and Residential Property Markets
Economic Policies, Globalization, The Australian Economy, The Global Economy | 31st October 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to a luncheon hosted by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Western Australian Division) at Crown Perth on 31st October 2025.
Revenue-raising and tax reform
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Taxation, The Australian Economy | 29th October 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to the Australia Institute’s “Revenue Summit” held at Parliament House, Canberra, on 29th October 2025
Do the Best Days for Australia’s Resources Sector Still Lie Ahead? – Presentation to AusIMM Congress
Commodities, The Australian Economy | 17th October 2025Saul Eslake’s presentation to the 2025 Annual Congress of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, in Brisbane on 17th October. It looks at the contribution of the resources sector to Australia’s economy and government revenues, the impact of the on-going slowdown in the Chinese economy on its demands for Australian minerals and energy exports, […]
The Australian Economy and Housing Markets in 2025-26: Presentation to a Mortgage Brokers conference
Housing, The Australian Economy | 16th October 2025Saul Eslake: The Australian Economy and Housing Markets in 2025-26
US Economy, Australia & New Zealand Interest Rates
News, Recent Media Interview, The Australian Economy | 6th October 2025Saul Eslake: RBA’s September 2025 meeting & Australian interest rate outlook.