Malcolm Turnbull wants us to think he's an energy magician

• COMMENT

The main trick magicians use is to direct the audience's attention away from the place where they're doing their sleight-of-hand. That's what Malcom Turnbull's up to.

Mining's economic contribution not as big as you might think

• COMMENT

With Malcolm Turnbull desperate to keep burning coal for electricity, just how important is the mining industry to our economy?

Lord save us from being governed by bankers

• COMMENT

With Our Glad Berejiklian - the archetypal girl who works harder than the boys - replacing pin-up boy Mike Baird as premier of NSW, should the citizens of other states be envious? Don't be too sure.

Can't find a pattern? It's probably probability

• COMMENT

It's the last (unofficial) holiday weekend of summer before the new year really gets down to business on Monday. So let's have some fun. Try yourself on this simple quiz.

Face time with strangers can boost economy

• COMMENT

Human contact is an important part of health and our prosperity.

Two centuries of economic development courtesy of the Industrial Revolution

One of the small pleasures of my year was watching the deft political manoeuvrings of Thomas Cromwell in the TV miniseries of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.

Knowledge, not resources, driving economic growth

• COMMENT

Some economists worry the world economy isn't growing fast enough. It's slowing down and reaching the point of "secular stagnation".

Mining makes pollies confused about demand and supply

Our politicians on both sides have terrible trouble working out how supply works.

Unemployment, take a step back for the big picture

• COMMENT

It is possible to make sense of what's happening in the labour market, but only if you follow a few rules.