Saturday, March 27, 2010

Why is Gittens so keen to call it a recession, it wasn't!?!?

Why does Ross Gittens insist we should know the recent downturn as a recession? Why was it not a recession, looking at the figures he presents could you argue that he is wrong to be so insistent? What factors does he suggest were so important in ensuring employment didn't drop as hard as it might have at another time in Australia's history?
www.smh.com.au/business/why-people-kept-jobs-in-this-recession/20100326-r34s.html - March 27 Sydney Morning Herald.

Economic Management

As Australians become increasingly aware of the immanent election, debates have begun, dates for polling discussed, the Liberal party prepares to restack its front bench, and an important budget about to be released what similarities and differences can we see if we compare our economy with England: www.economist.com/opinion/ - British Economy - 'The Pain to Come.'
See if you can create a list of similarities and differences.

Some interesting data to also consider is the budget deficits as a percentage of GDP.
Make some inferences about the relative sizes of these, what other data in this table might help understand the country's ability to repay such debts?