Another thought-provoking discussion from Saul Eslake and Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt AO, RAN (retd) about Australia’s defense challenges and the delicate balancing act between the Navy, Air Force, and Army. This conversation explores key topics such as military funding rivalry, modern fleet capabilities, and how Australia addresses its strategic defense needs. From the youngest Air Force fleet to the evolving role of the Army and the Navy’s challenges, we unpack the complexities of national defense in the modern era.

The Australian Financial Review published an op-ed article from me on the Commonwealth Grants Commission’s recommendations as to how the revenue from the GST should be carved up among Australia’s states and territories in the 2025-26 financial year (which were released on 14th March). This article focuses on the fact that, for the first time, […]

Saul Eslake talks with the newest member of the InEconomics team, Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt AO, RAN (retd) about Australia’s defense strategy amid shifting global dynamics. With China’s increasing military presence and evolving U.S. alliances, how should Australia respond? This discussion explores defense spending, strategic partnerships, and the necessity of a national security framework. Are we making the right choices, or are we stuck in outdated defense policies? Watch now to gain expert insights on the future of Australia’s military strategy.

Saul Eslake and Rowan Moffitt discuss Australia’s defense strategy amid shifting global dynamics. With China’s increasing military presence and evolving U.S. alliances, how should Australia respond? This discussion explores defense spending, strategic partnerships, and the necessity of a national security framework. Are we making the right choices, or are we stuck in outdated defense policies? Watch now to gain expert insights on the future of Australia’s military strategy.Saul Eslake and Rowan Moffitt: Questions for Australia’s Defence in a Changed World (Part 2)

Saul Eslake talks to ABC Sydney’s ‘Mornings’ presenter Hamish McDonald about what could be in the Budget to be presented on 25th March, and the impact of the tariffs that Donald Trump is likely to impose on Australian exports of steel and aluminium to the US. And about Kylie Minogue.

An article originally published on Pearls and Irritations (a blog curated by John Menadue), and by The New Daily on 9th February 2025 I am not suffering from what some of President Donald Trump’s more fervent supporters — both in the US and in Australia — like to call “Trump derangement syndrome”. That is, I’m not disputing that […]

My op-ed in The Australian Financial Review of 9th February 2025 about the meaning of the by-elections held in the Victorian state seats of Werribee and Prahran the precdeding day – in particular, about the Victorian economy and the parlous state of Victoria’s public finances. Federal election 2025: Liberal Party is yet to heed the message […]

Victoria’s economy has begun to under-perform that of the rest of Australia, even though its population growth rate (which has under-pinned an above average ‘headline’ economic growth rate for most of the past two decades) is still above that of the rest of Australia. But measured in terms of either per capita gross product, or […]