Pandemics require individuals to contribute to the greater good. Behavioural economist, Stephen Whyte says that it is possible to 'nudge' people towards actions that improve their lives. Staying at home, social- distancing and downloading the COVIDSafe app are pro-social behaviours we can implement ourselves. But how do we incentivise big companies to put the necessary resources into finding a vaccine? Joshua Gans, author of Economics in the Age of COVID-19 explains.

Pandemics require individuals to contribute to the greater good. Behavioural economist, Stephen Whyte says that it is possible to 'nudge' people towards actions that improve their lives. Staying at home, social- distancing and downloading the COVIDSafe app are pro-social behaviours we can implement ourselves. But how do we incentivise big companies to put the necessary resources into finding a vaccine? Joshua Gans, author of Economics in the Age of COVID-19 explains.

Competition in the free market is best for everyone. Except when it's not. In the time of COVID-19, it most definitely is not. Rod Sims is chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. He says that when we are fighting a pandemic-induced war, the economy is flipped on its head. We must all work together to supply what people need, even if it involves co-operating with rival companies. But once all parties have sat at the same table, how do we prevent collusion after...

Competition in the free market is best for everyone. Except when it's not. In the time of COVID-19, it most definitely is not. Rod Sims is chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. He says that when we are fighting a pandemic-induced war, the economy is flipped on its head. We must all work together to supply what people need, even if it involves co-operating with rival companies. But once all parties have sat at the same table, how do we prevent collusion after...

Young people are most at risk as the global economy recovers from the coronavirus. Unlike the crises before it, the COVID-19 catastrophe is different. The speed at which it erupted and the magnitude of its reach have shocked the world. But Jeff Borland professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne, says that it is the asymmetry of its impact on certain groups, especially young people, that will cause the most problems. LINKS The next employment challenge from coronavirus:...

Young people are most at risk as the global economy recovers from the coronavirus. Unlike the crises before it, the COVID-19 catastrophe is different. The speed at which it erupted and the magnitude of its reach have shocked the world. But Jeff Borland professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne, says that it is the asymmetry of its impact on certain groups, especially young people, that will cause the most problems. LINKS The next employment challenge from coronavirus:...

It's raining money. How much more should the government spend on cushioning the economy? Stephanie Kelton is a professor at Stony Brook University, a senior economic advisor to Bernie Sanders and author of The Deficit Myth: Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy. She says that yes indeed, the government does have the right to print money. It's just 'unfortunate that we have given it the name debt' If it is the 'job' of the people during a pandemic to stay home, then it is...

It's raining money. How much more should the government spend on cushioning the economy? Stephanie Kelton is a professor at Stony Brook University, a senior economic advisor to Bernie Sanders and author of The Deficit Myth: Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy. She says that yes indeed, the government does have the right to print money. It's just 'unfortunate that we have given it the name debt' If it is the 'job' of the people during a pandemic to stay home, then it is...

Planning for the management of health during the coronavirus requires more than solely a death toll. Measuring the costs of human suffering must also include mental illness, physical pain and a loss of quality of life that will follow this global crisis. This is where numbers play a role. Not to rate one life over another, but to limit the 'scarring effects' of this pandemic. David Johnston,  professor of health economics at Monash University. Quentin Grafton, professor of economics at...

Planning for the management of health during the coronavirus requires more than solely a death toll. Measuring the costs of human suffering must also include mental illness, physical pain and a loss of quality of life that will follow this global crisis. This is where numbers play a role. Not to rate one life over another, but to limit the 'scarring effects' of this pandemic. David Johnston,  professor of health economics at Monash University. Quentin Grafton, professor of economics at...

Pandemics are not new but the way the world has responded is unprecedented. As country after country calls time-out on their daily lives, the global economy is in free-fall. Carmen Reinhart says it's wartime and we need to be better soldiers. Professor Gigi Foster agrees. We must aggressively quarantine and protect vulnerable people by day. Then go for a beer afterwards so the publican can pay his workers. Harvard Professor Carmen Reinhart, co-author of This time it’s different: an...

Pandemics are not new but the way the world has responded is unprecedented. As country after country calls time-out on their daily lives, the global economy is in free-fall. Carmen Reinhart says it's wartime and we need to be better soldiers. Professor Gigi Foster agrees. We must aggressively quarantine and protect vulnerable people by day. Then go for a beer afterwards so the publican can pay his workers. Harvard Professor Carmen Reinhart, co-author of This time it’s different: an...

Small business is just one of the victims of COVID-19. What if there is a way to hold off debt repayment until there is money in the bank to pay it? Bruce Chapman, professor at the ANU College of Business and Economics, says we can learn a lot from the HECS loan system he helped to implement in the 1980s. He believes that deferring loan repayments could be the key to economic recovery, especially for small business.

Small business is just one of the victims of COVID-19. What if there is a way to hold off debt repayment until there is money in the bank to pay it? Bruce Chapman, professor at the ANU College of Business and Economics, says we can learn a lot from the HECS loan system he helped to implement in the 1980s. He believes that deferring loan repayments could be the key to economic recovery, especially for small business.

While the world responds to the health risks of COV19, no amount of hand sanitiser can protect the economy from what is ahead. Will Scott Morrison's stimulus package save us from the downward spiral of our trading partners?

While the world responds to the health risks of COV19, no amount of hand sanitiser can protect the economy from what is ahead. Will Scott Morrison's stimulus package save us from the downward spiral of our trading partners?

If you think the numbers that make up the GDP are slippery, you are right. Terry Rawnsley wades through the jargon to help us understand what the Gross Domestic Product is and why those numbers matter. Nicki Hutley interprets the financial growth results just handed down by Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

If you think the numbers that make up the GDP are slippery, you are right. Terry Rawnsley wades through the jargon to help us understand what the Gross Domestic Product is and why those numbers matter. Nicki Hutley interprets the financial growth results just handed down by Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Coronavirus is scaring the economy. How can we plan for financial fallout if we don't know how bad it's going to be? And although nobody wants to take responsibility for wage theft there are several persons of interest. It's time to name and shame.

Coronavirus is scaring the economy. How can we plan for financial fallout if we don't know how bad it's going to be? And although nobody wants to take responsibility for wage theft there are several persons of interest. It's time to name and shame.

How is Australia's historically robust economy slowing? What can be done to support the economy given global realities? And after a record three decades without a recession, can Australia make it to four?

How is Australia's historically robust economy slowing? What can be done to support the economy given global realities? And after a record three decades without a recession, can Australia make it to four?

What are some of the practical things the returned Morrison government could do to make Australia better?

What are some of the practical things the returned Morrison government could do to make Australia better?

Why is wage growth low and why is Australia's wage setting system so unusual? The Economists examine the wage and working policies of the major political parties.