The author has been described by News Ltd as an "iconoclast", "Svengali", a pollie's "economist muse", and "pungently accurate". Fairfax says he is a "Renaissance man" and "one of Australia’s most respected analysts." Stephen Koukoulas concludes that he is "85% right", and "would make a great Opposition leader." Terry McCrann claims the author thinks "‘nuance’ is a trendy village in the south of France", but can be "scintillating" when he thinks "clearly". The ACTU reckons he’s "an enigma wrapped in a Bloomberg terminal, wrapped in some apparently well-honed abs."

Monday, July 12, 2010

Reading from the last few days

Harvard's Niall Ferguson, who will be in Oz soon, comes up with some sensible ideas on how to stealthily reform the banking system. The incredible story of the trading house Glencore. A very good David Uren article on the Treasury's Ken Henry, who has probably been unfairly maligned after so many decades of solid public service (I don't actually have a strong view on this subject). Steve Bartholomeusz pens an interesting piece on the profitability of the major banks' mortgage books. Learn how Obama called Kevin Rudd before Julia Gillard from the former PM's preferred go-to-guy. Ross Gittins explains that old chestnut, the NAIRU. Tim Colebatch offers a primer on Wayne Swan. And the ever-creative Nicholas Gruen provides some ideas on tax reform.
at 12:58 PM