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Stephen Duckett

Director, Health Program, Grattan Institute

Professor Stephen Duckett is Director of the Health Program at Grattan Institute and Emeritus Professor of Health Policy at La Trobe University. He has held top operational and policy leadership positions in health care in Australia and Canada, including as Secretary of what is now the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. He has a reputation for creativity, evidence-based innovation and reform in areas ranging from the introduction of activity-based funding for hospitals to new systems of accountability for the safety of hospital care. An economist, he is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and of the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Changes to lure young people into private health insurance won't slow increase in premiums

Oct 13, 2017 09:28 am UTC| Insights & Views Health

Australians will be able to choose lower premiums for higher excess, and insurers required to more clearly categorise their policies, under the federal governments shake up of private health insurance announced...

Why it costs you so much to see a specialist – and what the government should do about it

Aug 13, 2017 23:08 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

Australians pay too much when they go to medical specialists. The government can and should do more to drive prices down. A current Senate Inquiry on out-of-pocket costs will hopefully lead to some policy action. The...

Don't be fooled, the Medicare Guarantee Fund provides no real guarantee

May 12, 2017 06:04 am UTC| Insights & Views Health Politics

Treasurer Scott Morrison pulled a health-related rabbit out of his hat on budget night, announcing the government will guarantee the future of Medicare. It will do this by allocating any extra revenue from the recently...

Introducing competition to the health sector should be treated with caution

Dec 05, 2016 05:12 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

The Productivity Commissions study report on introducing competition into human services was quickly labelled as proposing privatisation of hospital, end-of-life and dental services. This isnt really the case. The...

Economy

Australian bonds trade narrowly mixed in subdued session; investors eye U.S-China trade talks

Australian bonds traded narrowly mixed in subdued Wednesday session as investors remain sidelined in any major deal ahead of the U.S.-China trade talks. The yield on Australias benchmark 10-year note, which moves...

Australian bonds fall across the curve as U.S.-China trade talks lift investors’ risk appetite

Australian bonds fell across the curve during early Asian session Tuesday as investors risk appetite recovered following the U.S.-China trade talks, lifting the 10-year yield from this years low seen yesterday. The...

Cryptocurrency Brief: Bitcoin tests $6,500 mark, Chinese regulators arrest 3 in $87 mln digital theft, Ethereum’s Lubin views bearishness as no hurdle to growth – Monday, August 20th, 2018

BTC/USD: Bitcoin prices, once again disappointed market participants is testing the $6,500 mark during European session Monday after Chinese regulators have arrested three individuals found accused and guilty for $87...

U.S. Treasuries surge ahead of trade talks with China; August FOMC meeting minutes in focus

The U.S. Treasuries surged Monday amid a comeback in trade talks with China over tariffs this week. However, it will be a quiet start to the week in the US, with the first important diary entries being Wednesdays release...

German bunds slip in European trading ahead of 10-year auction, August manufacturing PMI

The German bunds slipped during European session Monday as investors wait to watch the countrys 10-year auction, scheduled to be held on August 22, besides, the manufacturing PMI for the month of August, due on the...

Politics

I went to see Pussy Riot – if they're serious protesters, I'm Sid Vicious

Many years after my first punk concert, when I met Pete Shelley and the other Buzzcocks at the old Apollo Theatre in Glasgow, I was excited at the age of 69 to be in Edinburgh to attend my second one. Pussy Riots...

Trump’s Space Force isn't as new or as dangerous as it seems

Donald Trumps plans to create a Space Force have ruffled plenty of feathers and alarmed some commentators. Some argue it will merely cause a bureaucratic headache. Raising greater concerns, others have argued the Space...

ANC expediency is messing up South Africa's land reform process

Its highly likely that an amendment will be made to South Africas constitution that will allow for land expropriation without compensation following a decision to do so by the ruling party the African National Congress...

Marikana: it's time Ramaphosa moved on accountability and reparations

The 2012 Marikana massacre in South Africas North West Province, in which 34 miners were killed by the police, remains an unhealed scar in post democratic South Africa. Two of the most important unresolved issues involve...

The royal commission should result not only in new regulation, but new education

The Financial Services Royal Commission has not only shown that banks and their representatives have behaved appallingly, but that we need better-educated consumers. It is naive not to expect new schemes will pop up to...

Science

Scientists are developing greener plastics – the bigger challenge is moving them from lab to market

Synthetic plastics have made many aspect of modern life cheaper, safer and more convenient. However, we have failed to figure out how to get rid of them after we use them. Unlike other forms of trash, such as food and...

Darwin's theory of evolution owes more to his garden than the Galápagos

Its one of the greatest stories in science, right up there with Neil Armstrongs small step on the moon and Jane Goodalls overhaul of ideas on non-human relationships. When naturalist Charles Darwin first set foot in the...

Why there's been a boom in discovering new species despite a biodiversity crisis

Something of a boom in the discovery of new species is taking place right now. It is so significant that some say it is similar to the period of the 18th and 19th centuries when European naturalists ventured into newly...

The world of plastics, in numbers

From its early beginnings during and after World War II, the commercial industry for polymers long chain synthetic molecules of which plastics are a common misnomer has grown rapidly. In 2015, over 320 million tons of...

How biobanks can help improve the integrity of scientific research

Biobanks are repositories which receive, store, process and disseminate specimens. These include DNA derived from humans and animals; bacterial strains; and environmental samples like plants and soil. Biobanks also provide...

Technology

OnePlus 6T Release Date, Features: Upcoming Handset Variant May Have a Confirmed Release Date

According to CNET, the OnePus 6T is currently rumored to be released in October. This mirrors the fall release of the higher-end model that usually launches before the summer that OnePlus has followed since the OnePlus 2...

'GTA' 6 Rumors, Release Date: GTA Franchise Rumored to Come Back to Vice City

GTA 6 has yet to be announced as an official game in production by Rockstar Games but fan anticipation is so great that people are talking about the yet-to-exist sequel even before Rockstar has released its most recent...

‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Release Date, Features: Rockstar Games Launches ‘Collector’s Box’ with Exclusive Items, Except the Game Itself

As the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 draws near, more and more purchase options and items are being announced by Rockstar Games. The latest is the Collectors Box with an array of exclusive physical items, except for the...

‘The Sims 5’ Release Date, Features: Title Up for 2019 Announcement, 2020 Release?; Fans Hope to Explore Open World with Cars

Electronic Arts (EA) and Maxis are yet to confirm the existence of The Sims 5. But many fans are already speculating that the fifth main title installment could be announced in 2019 and will be released in 2020. In...

Hyundai-backed Hdac Technology signs MOU with blockchain real estate startup DREAMChain

Hdac Technology AG, a blockchain-based IoT contract platform backed by Hyundai, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dream Global Partners, establishing the foundation of a comprehensive collaborative...

Digital Currency

UAE-based ADAB Solutions announces First Islamic Crypto Exchange (FICE)

eToro to pay for partnership deals with seven football clubs in bitcoin

FxWirePro: Monero (XMR/USD) struggles to close above 20- day MA, good to sell on rallies

Law

Suspects confess to crimes they didn't commit – here's why

When Canada did – and didn’t – stand up for human rights

How a Swiss bank was toppled by a financial scandal in Malaysia – and what can be learned from it

Life

How 'bling' makes us human

Hajj: how globalisation transformed the market for pilgrimage to Mecca

Aboriginal traditions describe the complex motions of planets, the 'wandering stars' of the sky

Nature

Indonesia earthquake: how scrap tyres could stop buildings collapsing

Hothouse Earth: our planet has been here before – here's what it looked like

Rohingya crisis: a year since it shocked the world, what's changed?

Sports

Kawhi Leonard Latest Updates: Raptors Hire Ex-Spurs Superstar’s Childhood Friend in an Attempt to Convince Him to Stay

Michael Schumacher Latest Update: F1 Legend’s Manager Debunks Reports That Schumi’s Family Is Moving to 27M Pound Mansion

Carmelo Anthony Latest Update: Will the Ex-Thunder Star Clash Again with Previous Coach Mike D’Antoni?

Technical Analysis

FxWirePro: NZD/JPY Chartpack – Technicals, Trade and Hedging Setup

FxWirePro: USD/SGD trades in narrow range, stay bullish

FxWirePro: NZD/USD breaks above 0.67 handle, Kiwi pops on strong New Zealand retail sales data

ET PRO
Market Data

Market-moving news and views, 24 hours a day >

THAI 15.4 BLN BAHT, 13.85-YEAR GOVERNMENT BOND AVG ACCEPTED YIELD 3.0980 PCT

MOODY'S SAYS CHANGED OUTLOOK FOR AUSTRIA'S BANKING SYSTEM REFLECTS ITS EXPECTATION THAT IMPROVEMENTS IN LOAN QUALITY WILL MODERATE AND CAPITAL GENERATION WILL SLOW

MOODY'S SAYS EXPECTS AUSTRIAN ECONOMY TO REMAIN ROBUST, GROWING BY 3% THIS YEAR AND 2.5% IN 2019

JERUSALEM-BOLTON SAYS HE EXPECTS EUROPEANS TO SEE CLEAR CHOICE BETWEEN DOING BUSINESS EITHER WITH IRAN OR WITH U.S.

JERUSALEM-TRUMP ADVISER BOLTON SAYS U.S. SANCTIONS ON IRAN HAVING "STRONGER" IMPACT THAN ANTICIPATED

THAI JULY CUSTOMS-CLEARED TRADE BALANCE -0.52 BLN DLRS (VS +0.15 BLN DLRS IN REUTERS POLL) - COMMERCE MINISTRY

THAI JULY CUSTOMS-CLEARED IMPORTS +10.53 PCT YR/YR (VS +10.05 PCT IN REUTERS POLL) - COMMERCE MINISTRY

THAI JULY CUSTOMS-CLEARED EXPORTS +8.27 PCT YR/YR (VS +9.8 PCT IN REUTERS POLL) - COMMERCE MINISTRY

S.KOREA END-JUNE SHORT-TERM EXTERNAL DEBT AT 28.4 PCT OF TOTAL EXTERNAL DEBT VS 27.8 PCT AT END-MARCH -C.BANK

S.KOREA END-JUNE SHORT-TERM EXTERNAL DEBT AT 31.3 PCT OF FX RESERVES VS 30.4 PCT AT END-MARCH -C.BANK

S.KOREA END-JUNE SHORT-TERM EXTERNAL DEBT AT $125.1 BLN VS $120.5 BLN AT END-MARCH -C.BANK

S.KOREA END-JUNE TOTAL EXTERNAL DEBT AT $440.5 BLN VS $433.9 BLN AT END-MARCH -C.BANK

BOJ offers to lend Y 3.9144 trln of JGBs on spot basis through 8/23 as a secondary source of JGBs (Offer in the morning)

10-YEAR U.S. TREASURY YIELD AT 2.829 PERCENT VS U.S. CLOSE OF 2.844 PERCENT ON TUESDAY

AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE AT 0300 GMT - ABC

NEW ZEALAND STOCKS RISE AS MUCH AS 0.59 PCT TO A RECORD HIGH OF 9,169.490

CHINA'S YUAN OPENS TRADE AT 6.8373 PER DOLLAR VS LAST CLOSE AT 6.8513

AUSTRALIA Q2 2018 CONSTRUCTION WORK DONE INCREASE TO 1.6 % (FCAST 0.7 %) VS PREV 0.2 %

CHINA CSI300 STOCK INDEX FUTURES OPENS - 0.19 PERCENT, TO 3,301.4 POINTS, - 25.0 POINTS FROM THE CURRENT VALUE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX

MOODY'S - EXPECTS AN UPSWING IN GROWTH FOR EMERGING MARKET COUNTRIES, WITH G20 EMERGING ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECAST TO BE 5.2% AT THE END OF 2018

FxWirePro: USD/CHF trade idea

MetLife trials blockchain-based automated health insurance solution

Oil in Global Economy Series: Total’s departure from lucrative Iranian gas project shows biting power of U.S. sanctions

Is China banking on Blockchain-powered gaming business?

Cryptocurrency Brief: Bitcoin prices recover but struggle to hold $6,500 mark, Bitcoin ABC unveils details of BCH hard fork in September – Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

Bitcoin Price Drifts in Sideway Trend as ProShares BTC Futures Based ETF Proposal Under SEC Scrutiny

Liechtenstein’s Union Bank AG seeks to become one-stop crypto and blockchain solution provider, to issue security tokens and stable coin

Shanghai Stock Exchange and insurance industry players partner to tap blockchain potential

FxWirePro: Gold upside capped by 10- day MA, good to buy on dips

Economics Monitor

August 22 01:30 UTC Released

AUConstruction Work Done*

Actual

1.6 %

Forecast

0.7 %

0.2 %

August 21 22:45 UTC Released

NZRetail Qrtly Vs Yr Ago

Actual

3.1 %

Forecast

3 %

January 31 00:00 UTC 292648292648m

ARAnnual Primary Balance*

Actual

Forecast

2016 bln ARS

Bln AR bln ARS

January 31 00:00 UTC 292648292648m

ARAnnual Primary Balance*

Actual

Forecast

2016 bln ARS

Bln AR bln ARS

January 22 19:00 UTC 304468304468m

ARTrade Balance

Actual

Forecast

-1541 %

January 31 00:00 UTC 292648292648m

ARAnnual Primary Balance*

Actual

Forecast

2016 bln ARS

Bln AR bln ARS

January 22 19:00 UTC 304468304468m

ARTrade Balance

Actual

Forecast

-1541 %

January 31 00:00 UTC 292648292648m

ARAnnual Primary Balance*

Actual

Forecast

2016 bln ARS

Bln AR bln ARS

January 31 00:00 UTC 292648292648m

ARAnnual Primary Balance*

Actual

Forecast

2016 bln ARS

Bln AR bln ARS

January 31 00:00 UTC 292648292648m

ARAnnual Primary Balance*

Actual

Forecast

2016 bln ARS

Bln AR bln ARS

EconoTimes

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Stephen Duckett

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