Australia – Dr Oliver Hartwich

When the Party Was Home

29/09/2026

Recent polling indicates that One Nation leads the Coalition in Australia, with both traditional parties losing popular support. The article reflects on the decline of established political parties, paralleling similar trends in Germany, Britain, and New Zealand. It highlights changes in political engagement, community ties, and decision-making processes as parties become more transactional and less rooted in social structures. This shift raises questions about the stability and efficacy of contemporary politics.

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Is NZ now saying ‘no’ to foreign investment?

28/09/2026

New Zealand’s political climate is prompting law firms to temper investment advice, as proposed party policies threaten property rights, complicating the investment landscape for foreign clients.

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Australia’s economic future is on display in NZ’s present

24/07/2026

The comparison of Australia and New Zealand highlights their parallel reform histories, economic similarities, and diverging outcomes, with Australia benefiting from natural resources while New Zealand struggles post-reforms.

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elegant restaurant interior with dinner setup

Jim Chalmers’ guru Mariana Mazzucato is selling an old mistake

08/07/2026

Fourteen New Zealand restaurants received Michelin stars, indicating limited recognition despite government investment in promoting local cuisine. This mirrors past governmental attempts at industrial policy, often leading to market misconceptions and fiscal failures, as seen in both New Zealand and Australia.

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NZ’s anti-slavery bill helps no victims but no one dare oppose it

26/05/2026

New Zealand’s Modern Slavery Bill, while aimed at addressing exploitation in supply chains, may create compliance burdens without effectively reducing modern slavery, echoing critiques of similar legislation in Australia and the UK.

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Like Chalmers, NZ tried property tax reforms too. They failed

18/05/2026

Jim Chalmers’ announcement to end negative gearing mirrors New Zealand’s past reforms that backfired, leading to fewer rental properties and rising rents, demonstrating that housing affordability relies on supply, not tax changes.

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The Strait of Hormuz connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf

Hormuz crisis may force reform – but only through catastrophe

17/03/2026

New Zealand faces an economic crisis due to rising oil prices and supply disruptions, prompting officials to prepare contingency plans. Previous crises were met with borrowing rather than structural reforms, perpetuating deep-rooted issues.

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Australia and New Zealand face productivity crisis as economic reform stalls

11/03/2026

Australia and New Zealand face economic challenges stemming from declining productivity. Their central banks have divergent policies, but both nations must address structural reforms to foster sustainable growth and efficiency.

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the word trading spelled out in scrabble letters

Dismantling the competition myth

17/02/2026

Australia’s economic transformation since the 1980s resulted more from Hawke-Keating reforms that opened markets than from the Trade Practices Act. Effective competition arises from fewer barriers, not merely regulations.

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NZ’s answer to infrastructure crisis hiding in plain sight

08/10/2025

New Zealand’s government faces a fiscal crisis with rising debt, infrastructure deficits, and limited options for funding. Asset recycling, as successfully implemented in Australia, could provide a viable solution.

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