Illustration by Simon Letch

Don’t be fooled. Ever-higher defence spending means ever-higher taxes

We’re spending about $56 billion a year on defence and that’s going to rise sharply,no matter who’s in power. Does anyone really think this won’t lead to income tax hikes?

  • Ross Gittins

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Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton.

Voters’ unasked question:Which party do I want deciding wages policy?

For an election dominated by cost-of-living sloganeering,neither Labor nor the Coalition has bothered to utter a word on wages.

  • Ross Gittins
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are fighting a “limp,uninspiring” election campaign.

Our democracy’s not working as it should. Here are some good ideas to fix it

This is a limp,uninspiring election campaign. A minority government may usher in new thinking.

  • Ross Gittins
Donald Trump said he “couldn’t care less” if automakers raised their prices.

My Easter sermon:How we Trump-proof our society

When politicians are no longer game to appeal to the better angels of our nature,you know we’ve got a problem.

  • Ross Gittins

Home truths:Housing policies are for show,but one side at least gets the problem

The major parties can’t hope to win the election without having promises that seem to help would-be home owners. Pity they aren’t more sincere about it.

  • Ross Gittins
Opposition leader Peter Dutton

Memo Dutton:Good economic managers don’t try to panic the punters

In his response to last week’s mayhem on financial markets,Opposition Leader Peter Dutton flunked a key test.

  • Ross Gittins
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This election is one of the worst I’ve seen. Here’s the one thing we can do to fix Australian politics

I think both sides of politics are treating us like mugs. Maybe like the mugs many of us have allowed ourselves to become.

  • Ross Gittins

Energy’s a big part of living costs,but fixing it won’t be cheap

Voters seem permanently obsessed with energy prices,and they’ve figured in most election campaigns for decades. But it’s mainly been smoke and mirrors.

  • Ross Gittins
 Demonstrators rally against US President Donald Trump and his recent policies in Trafalgar Square,London,England.

Trump’s trade war is bad,but how bad is up to the rest of us

What matters most is the indirect effect on Australia from Trump’s attempts to start a trade war with the other big economies.

  • Ross Gittins

Dutton wants to know if you’re better off now. It’s a trick question

The opposition leader’s question is so seductive to people who don’t follow politics and the economy,and don’t want to use their grey matter.

  • Ross Gittins