Private schools are losing their magnetic pull
It's drawn little comment, but the decades-long drift of students from government to non-government schools has ended.
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Ross Gittins
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.
Politicians have worked hard to make houses so dear
It has cost the budget a lot of money to make the prices of homes as hard to afford as they now are.
The sad truth about education
Our politicians, asked to explain their policy on X will switch to expounding on what's wrong with their opponents' supposed policy.
Brace yourself for a year of con jobs and flying bulldust
There's a long history of politicians professing to be terribly concerned about "the cost of living" and nothing good ever comes of it. It's always about saying things to keep or win your vote and rarely about doing anything real – let alone sensible – about prices.
What a relief that climate change doesn't really exist
As we've sweltered through this terrible summer - and lately, as bushfires have raged - what a comfort it's been to know that climate change doesn't exist and isn't happening.
Our society is fraying. The damage starts at the top
How moving it was to watch Malcolm Turnbull presenting the Australian of the Year awards last week. What impressive people they were. Made me proud to be an Aussie.
Pensioner rage: Centrelink beware
Of the loads of films I saw last year, the most memorable was Ken Loach's I, Daniel Blake. I go to the movies for escapist entertainment, not to give my emotions a good workout but, even so, it left a lasting impression.
How to find more time for fun next year
I don't know about you, but it's at this time of year, when the Christmas rush is over and things slow down - even for those who are "working through" - that I get a bit more philosophical, a bit more reflective.
Why I'm sorry our credit rating wasn't downgraded this week
There is no good reason any sovereign Australian government – federal or state – should allow a few American for-profit businesses to dictate how much it should or shouldn't borrow (nor engage in hugely expensive ways of disguising the true extent of its liabilities).
Blame game hides real reason for deficit difficulty
Don't believe anything any politician says about the mid-year budget up-date and the expected further deterioration in the budget deficit.
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