Ross Gittins is economics editor of the SMH and an economic columnist for The Age. His books include Gittins' Guide to Economics, Gittinomics and The Happy Economist.
Did you know our social security system is so open to rorting that it's possible for some people to get more from benefits than they'd earn if they took a job? And we wonder why we have problem with debt and deficit.
We'd be better governed if more of the people in ministers' offices came from the Treasury department.
Did you know that classical Athens didn't have an economy? If you find that hard to believe, you should - because it's not possible.
Far from heading for the centre the unruly Coalition is drifting to the far right.
Sometimes I'm tempted by the thought that a major economic reform would be for the Business Council of Australia to disband, so the nation's big business chiefs had to spend more time doing their knitting.
If you want to shock and appal a politician, just suggest Australia join the United States and China in limiting the building of new coal mines.
The earlier we identify and help kids at risk of doing poorly in education, training and employment, the more we help the community as well as the kids.
Just about everyone who doesn't look at the numbers - which is most people - is convinced the economy is 'slowing'.
One way to be a loser is not to have the wit to realise when you are winning. Being a winner but not knowing it isn't all that gratifying.
Scott Morrison can use scare tactics in seeking greater support for his task of getting the budget back on track, but he'll do better by spreading the needed sacrifice more fairly.
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