Briferendum Series

Do the Treasury's Brexit numbers add up?

Apr 20, 2016 11:08 am UTC| Insights & Views

If we take as a central assumption that the UK would seek a negotiated bilateral agreement, like Canada has, the costs to Britain are clear. Based on the Treasurys estimates, our GDP would be 6.2% lower, families would be...

What is the Canada trade model and could it work for a post-Brexit UK?

Apr 20, 2016 10:33 am UTC| Insights & Views

It has been suggested that, in the event of a Brexit, the UK could negotiate a partnership with the European Union similar to that enjoyed by Canada. Boris Johnson has suggested that it would be relatively easy for the...

Panama Papers Series

Should tax collection be privatised?

Apr 20, 2016 06:08 am UTC| Insights & Views Business Law

The release of the Panama papers is yet to reach its endgame, but there are some clear truths we can take from it. People or businesses who dont pay their taxes whether deliberately or through ignorance undermine state...

Beyond the icon: despite a construction boom, Australian skyscraper design needs to evolve

Apr 20, 2016 06:01 am UTC| Insights & Views Business

The competition to be the city with Australias tallest skyline is in full swing. But too many towers are rejecting local climate and context in an attempt to dominate skylines. As a high-rise apartment boom sweeps...

Why the 60 Minutes shambles is unlikely to be a one-off incident

Apr 20, 2016 05:58 am UTC| Insights & Views Business

It may be a small indicator of how far journalism standards have fallen at one of Australias great newspapers that a reporter on The Sydney Morning Herald, interviewing me for their online site about the attempted...

Morrison warns banks not to pass on new 'user-pays' impost to finance ASIC reform

Apr 20, 2016 05:55 am UTC| Insights & Views Law

Treasurer Scott Morrison has warned Australian banks not to pass on to customers the $120 million user-pays charge imposed on them to finance a strengthened Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The...

How might Big Tobacco react to a rise in cigarette excise?

Apr 20, 2016 05:54 am UTC| Insights & Views Business

There now appears to be bipartisan recognition in Australia of the political stench of cigarettes. Labor governments have taken a dim view of smoking for at least a decade, but now even the Liberal Party is joining the...