Ross Gittins

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.

For some years now, the rate of increase in food prices has been unusually low.

The real reason you're feeling the cost-of-living pinch

COMMENT

It's the weak growth in wages that's giving people trouble balancing their household budgets.

Malcolm Turnbull drops a big hint about income tax cuts at the Business Council of Australia dinner on Monday.

Detail scant but timing of tax cut announcement telling

COMMENT

Good old rich Uncle Mal has been to see his bank manager, got the overdraft extended, and is determined we'll all have a great Chrissie, no matter what.

Recent Coalition governments have preferred Treasury and other departments to be less the fearless policy advisers and ...

Labor plans further blow to Treasury power

It's a process that's gone on for so long few people have noticed it: the waning influence of the once-mighty federal Treasury.

Enough of the stuff: Tax break could fix affliction

COMMENT

We complain about the cost of it but most Australians are living more prosperous, even opulent lives than any generation before us. The problem is we can only continue living the high life for so long.

Most economists never doubt that a growing economy is what keeps us happy.

Economists are giving up on smaller government

COMMENT

The Productivity Commission's search for "a new policy model" for reform offers better prospects for finally getting the budget under control.

More effective primary health care could improve people's health and happiness and reduce expense.

How to reward GPs differently and reap the benefits

COMMENT

If you don't have a chronic illness yet, you probably will.

Federal and state spending on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Australians was estimated at more than $33 billion in ...

Let me explain before some One Nation-type gives you her version

COMMENT

The latest report on government spending on Indigenous people makes shocking reading. So let me explain it to you before some One Nation-type gives you her version.