All articles
Have you heard the one about the Dog, The Mayor and The hologram?
19/02/2010 11:04:31 AM
This article was first published in The Morning Bulletindated 16 January 2010.
The good things in our society are driven by those who explore, and ask questions. The bad, like the GFC, are often driven by popular mantras, closed mindedness and sloppy policy. Often, the important questions have already been asked – last generation, last century, an earlier millennium. And often the answers are known – sometimes widely.
A degree of economics
19/02/2010 9:57:54 AM
This article was first published in [The Morning Bulletin] dated 7 November 2009.
Over the last 30 years, policy changes including superannuation, the deregulation of banking, labour force changes and the floating of the $A, have exposed all of us to markets. Government policy needs to be adjusted so that everyone picks up some proper economics, finance and accounting at school. School leavers who want to make a difference should get into it boots and all.
All Ordinaries Valuations
27/10/2009 11:54:46 AM
This article was first published in The Morning Bulletin under the heading 'Valuations' on the 23 of September 2009.
The point is that the overuse of “return on equity” as a performance yardstick, and the slavish belief that markets at all times value things appropriately, caused overuse of debt and declining asset values, at a time when the economy could least withstand it.
There is nothing fishy here
9/09/2009 9:43:58 AM
This Article was first published in The Morning Bulletin as 'Fees and Fish' dated 29 August 2009.
Paying people to help me sucks. I say every service business should install a fish tank with barra in it – like the one at the show. Paint prices on the fish, and clients can cast a lure. They pay whatever is on their catch. It’s unbiased and fair. Gives those damn professionals something to do with their time too.
A Brave New World
3/08/2009 10:34:05 AM
This Article was first published in The Morning Bulletin as 'Relevance of Novels' dated 02 August 2009.
Conveying a deep respect for work, nature, dreams, wounds, and the reciprocated love a boy can have for his mentor, it is a brilliantly spare description of man’s purpose. Amongst the sea of tabloid sex-cases, it’s a reminder that such relationships are normal - in fact required - if boys are to reach maturity.
Are 'Queenslanders' being sold out?
6/07/2009 11:10:27 AM
This article was originally published in The Morning Bulletin as "Bligh's state asset sell-off the right move for everyone" dated 04 July 2009
Now some unions are making trouble for the Bligh Government's proposed sale of some ports, toll raod concessions and parts of Queensland Rail. It is normal to draw down on savings in tough times, and many Government assets earn way less than their potential, due to bloated cost structures, abysmal customer service and politically compromised business plans.
Governments Running Up Debt - In An Economic Downturn
26/06/2009 9:40:27 AM
This Article was published in The Morning Bulletin on Saturday 6th June 2009.
Persistent increases in the price of goods and services result in higher interest rates, reduced purchasing power and increased costs for business. Tax bracket creep benefits the Government, but everyone else misses out. How can we avoid a spike in inflation?
Opportunities for Primary Producers
26/06/2009 9:29:18 AM
This article was originally published in The Morning Bulletin as an article on the 16th of May 2009.
Self sufficiency means having a plan for retirement, and not having to unduly rely on others. Like ants building a colony, we all have to interact to make things happen. But beyond that is a requirement to fulfill our own destiny. Setting up your financial and business affairs in such a way that your ability for self-direction, your negotiating power and your freedom is increased has to be liberating. The absence of these things is probably at the heart of many simmering family problems common on the land.
Queensland Government Elections - The Upper House
26/06/2009 9:19:11 AM
This article was originally published in The Morning Bulletin on 1 April 2009.
Before every election my phone rings. Clients and business associates hang on the end of the phone muttering about the need for change. It’s always difficult to say something sensible. Of course we need change, but will a 1950’s time warp fit the bill?
Spending to stimulate the economy - Lesson from the Great Depression
16/03/2009 8:46:38 AM
This article was originally published in The Morning Bulletin as "Government acted to replace people's regular spending" on 15th March 2009.
The Australian Government has recently handed $1,000 to pensioners. Soon many taxpayers will be receiving $900. In all, around $42 billion is being spent to help shield the Australian economy from the effects of the global downturn. The package includes funding for school buildings, home insulation and first home owners grants. It has been widely criticised by those who believe that the money is all being spent on plasma TV’s, pokies, and prostitutes.
Interest rates cuts more certain as Australian growth slows. Brighter times ahead
2/03/2009 11:35:47 AM
This article was originally published as 'Interest rates cuts more certain as Australian growth slows. Brighter times ahead' in The Capricorn Coast Mirroron 7th May, 2008. Image sourced from http://www.flickr.com/search/?l=4&w=all&q=Sunshine+australia&m=text.
Slowing growth suggests an easing in the interest rate cycle and we expect that the RBA is likely to start lowering interest rates early in 2009.
Position your portfolio
2/03/2009 11:27:20 AM
This article was originally published as 'Position your portfolio' in The Capricorn Coast Mirror on 21st May, 2008. Image sourced from http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Australia+money&l=4&page=2
Identifying the current state of the economic cycle can help investors position their portfolios to benefit from macro-economic changes. Based on our assessment of our position in the investment cycle, how should an investor structure their portfolio?
Bull markets make people lazy
2/03/2009 11:12:51 AM
This article was originally published as 'Money just a tool, but don't let lazy have its evil way' in The Morning Bulletin on 20th December, 2008. Image sourced from http://www.flickr.com/search/?l=4&w=all&q=fingers+burnt&m=text
Investors being burnt through dodgy corporate practices is nothing new – you can look at every boom and bust over the past 400 years to see that. There is no certain “recipe” for investment, only the business cycle. Uncertainty is actually the reason investors are rewarded, yet month after month, companies and individuals market “certain” outcomes, and consumers fall for it.
Current market forces taking away all the fun
2/03/2009 11:01:52 AM
This article was originally published as 'Current market forces taking away all the fun' in The Morning Bulletin on 22nd November, 2008.
In the current dreadful financial markets, the distinction between price and value is the reason why most financial professionals do not recommend selling into bad markets. It is also at the core of one of the biggest and most damaging fads espoused by regulators and the setters of accounting standards in recent history – marking the carrying value of assets to the current traded price.
What is good for one may not be good for everyone
2/03/2009 10:52:58 AM
This article was originally published as ‘What is good for one may not be good for everyone’ in The Morning Bulletin on 11th October 2008.
One of the least understood aspects of economics is the fallacy of composition. Imagine you’re at a football match, with Andrew Gaze sitting in front of you. You stand, to get a better view, while blocking those behind. Soon everyone is standing…and no better off. Put simply, what is good for the individual might not be good for the group. Understanding that helps you identify risks, so let’s apply it…