John Hewson

John Hewson

John Hewson is a professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, and a former Liberal opposition leader.

Minister for Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg (left) and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had a blunt message for ...

I'm no socialist, but markets need to work for greater benefit

COMMENT

"I believe in markets, but I want them to work for the greater benefit of our society, not just a privileged few."

Going up - in some places: housing in Sydney.

The risk is greater than the GFC if we can't fix the housing crisis

COMMENT

Our housing crisis has two main dimensions. Not surprisingly, there are no quick and easy solutions to either.

Muslims want to impose Sharia law because they "hate Western society," Senator Pauline Hanson told the ABC.

The major parties have one way to beat Hanson

COMMENT

When I first got involved in public policy in the early 1970s, I did so in the belief that good, evidence-based policy would be good politics, and ensure good government, with a relatively short lag.

Former NSW premier Mike Baird after his appointment as chief customer officer, corporate and institutional banking.

Baird has the antidote to career politicians

COMMENT

The public interest in, and debate about, Mike Baird's appointment to the NAB is both welcome and understandable, especially occurring so soon after his resignation as Premier.

Increasingly, fewer politicians have ever had a "real job", or a significant career, before entering politics.

The politicians who aren't qualified to do their jobs

COMMENT

If we were to advertise ministerial posts to attract those with the necessary competence, very few indeed, if any, of the current lot would be appointed.