The concession with concessions is that not all Australians are getting the same help with the cost of living and age and luck are more of a determinant than need.

This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Nick Tarrant Chief Economist at the Policy Institute Australia for a conversation about the hidden disparities in Australia's state-based concessions and cost of living support. Nick unpacks the design flaws baked into our concession programs, why the current system is failing the people it's supposed to help, and what better targeting and federal coordination could actually look like in practice.

Chapters

02:18 Why do states use existing systems like tolls and public transport for relief?

03:05 Rethinking cost of living relief as part of the social safety net

04:34 Support for seniors and the flaws in means testing

07:26 Asset and income disparities in concession programs

08:54 Fairness issues in concession design and consumption-based discounts

09:13 The effectiveness of lump sum payments versus asset-based support

12:46 Targeting energy rebates more effectively

14:06 The role of government in price stabilization and support

16:09 Targeting support to those most in need and fiscal implications

18:24 State debt levels and their impact on support programs

20:49 Using taxation and debt reduction as tools for support

21:07 Successful examples of targeted support in South Australia

23:01 The importance of federal and state coordination

24:54 Addressing federal and state fiscal disparities

26:45 The potential for reform and better targeting

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Australia has a productivity problem, but is it as simple as saying this or is there a nuance to it?

This week on Exchanges, Evan sits down with one of Australia's most respected economists, Saul Eslake, to discuss this very question. Saul draws the link with why productivity matters more than most people realise, how it connects directly to the wages in our pockets and the cost of the lives we lead. The question this raises is: what policy measures could actually move the needle on economic growth and inflation management in Australia if productivity continues to flat line.

To follow Saul click here:

Website: https://www.sauleslake.info

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saul-eslake/

Chapters

02:22 Recent trends in Australian productivity and income growth

03:50 Global perspective on productivity challenges

04:35 Misconceptions about productivity and work effort

05:37 Management's role in enhancing productivity

07:10 Measuring productivity in the care economy

08:31 Productivity trends in key industries like mining and construction

10:18 Strategies to boost productivity: regulation, innovation, and labor mobility

13:55 The impact of low interest rates and zombie firms

15:14 Job mobility and its effect on productivity

17:35 Industry-specific productivity issues and policy implications

19:58 The role of small business in productivity growth

21:21 Balancing growth and inflation control

24:43 Policy reforms for improving productivity in sectors like construction

25:44 Lessons from the Productivity Commission report

27:55 The role of monetary policy and interest rates in inflation management

30:55 Fiscal policy and government spending's impact on inflation

34:34 Achieving inflation targets through supply and demand management

36:51 What I would do if in charge: tax reform and structural policies

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Those frequent flyer points sitting in your account? They're worth a lot more than you think if you know how to use them and burn them.

This week on Exchanges, we sit down with David Maloney for a fascinating and eye-opening conversation about the world of loyalty programs, frequent flyer schemes, and the psychology that makes them tick. David pulls back the curtain on the economics of points, why loyalty programs are designed the way they are, and the strategies savvy frequent flyers use to unlock value that most people never see.

From the behavioural psychology driving our spending decisions to the hidden ecosystems built around platform loyalty, this is a conversation that will change the way you think about every point you earn and everyone you leave on the table.

To follow David click here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-moloney-1a45b825/

Book: https://majorstreet.com.au/blogs/meet-our-authors/david-moloney

Consulting: https://internalconsulting.com/blog/subject_experts/practice-leader-david-moloney-global-practice-leader-financial-services-and-board-and-c-suite-level-strategy-facilitator/

Chapters

01:48 The Irrational Side of Human Behavior in Loyalty Programs

03:48 The Evolution of Loyalty Programs from Experience to Enmeshment

06:04 The Economics of Happiness and Anticipation in Rewards

08:13 The Power of Status and Hierarchy in Loyalty Programs

10:07 Strategies for Earning and Activating Points

12:06 The Impact of Platform Ecosystems on Customer Loyalty

14:02 The Future of Loyalty Programs with AI and Behavioral Insights

15:58 Playing the Loyalty Game: Tips and Strategies

17:51 The Ethical and Economic Implications of Loyalty Programs

20:10 Mastering the Game of Loyalty and Rewards

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