The Reserve Bank of Australia should consider buying "zero coupon perpetual bonds" from our federal and state governments over the next two years. This is, in effect, a no-interest and non-repayable loan from the Reserve Bank to fund public works while the economy is sub-par.It could fund a capital spending surge over two to three years for constructing social housing, schools, hospitals, roads and railways. This increase in the money supply and public spending would underpin the private sector’s recovery.https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-free-ride-we-can-t-afford-to-spurn-how-the-rba-can-jump-start-our-economy-20200519-p54uju.html
"We must show, not
merely in the great crises but in the everyday affairs of life, the qualities
of practical intelligence, of courage, of hardihood, and endurance, and above
all the power of devotion to a lofty ideal."
"The principles for
which we stand are the principles of fair play and a Square Deal for every man
and every woman in the United States: a Square Deal politically, a Square Deal
in matters social and industrial."
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
We are
starting to see cooperation fray as politicians move back to re-embrace the
varied wishes of their constituencies, their ideologies and the need to garner
enough votes to gain and hold power.
The nation’s
chance of a rational and timely recovery rests on the ability of our elected
representatives to keep their egos and political instincts in check and focus
on the task at hand.
It is up
to us all to encourage the right behaviours…as citizens, business people,
journalists +
Australia's "novel" coronavirus pandemic response is being praised by the highly-regarded Brookings Institution in Washington for preserving the nation's economic fabric without throwing millions of workers into potentially permanent unemployment.JobKeeper and JobSeeker Payments keep people in work in Australia.Other decisions by the Australian Government that have been winners are:1. Stopping Chinese travel to Australia early (including by students returning to Australia despite complaints from universities)2. Establishing a National Cabinet3. Isolating people for 2 weeks in hotels on their return to Australia ( because isolation at home did not work) and4. The new Contact Tracing App Any other compliments we can give?