Unconventional Economist

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also Chief Economist and co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.

The Australia Institute virtue signals on carbon emissions

Australia recorded a 1.9% decline in greenhouse gas emissions over the year to September 30, 2025: The result has Greg Jericho, chief economist at The Australia Institute, whining about Australia’s lack of ambition on carbon reduction.

Labor holds fake consultation on fake East Coast gas reservation

Following the announcement of its East Coast gas reservation policy before Christmas, which plans to force Queensland LNG exporters to divert 15–25% of new supply into the domestic market, the Albanese government held its first formal consultation meeting on the proposed scheme.

Melbourne faces water Hunger Games

Melbourne’s water storages have fallen to 69.7%, the lowest level since July 2020 and on a trajectory similar to the Millennium Drought.

Australian renters endure needless suffering

Australian tenants have suffered immensely over the past five years, with rents growing nearly three times as fast as wages, according to Cotality.

CGT debate misses the bigger picture

There is a lot of debate in the media and among economists over whether the federal government should cut the capital gains tax (CGT) discount for housing in the upcoming federal budget.

Sydney house prices fall as auctions flood market

Property investors pile in before tax changes

Weekend reading and MB media appearances

Strong auction volumes weigh on house prices

The tsunami of auction activity is beginning to weigh on home values in Melbourne and Sydney.

International student myths debunked

Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Bran Black delivered a keynote address to the Universities Australia Solutions Summit that repeated the same old myths and fallacies about the vital importance that international students play in the Australian economy.

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