For years, policymakers and politicians thought they could square the circle: a market-driven economy with a robust social safety net. But that has become harder The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, emerged obviously excited and energised from last week’s economic reform roundtable. He later said on the ABC’s Insiders program: “We need to ensure collectively as Australians that the fair go is the defining part of our future and not just the defining part of our past.” Chalmers grew up far from the rich, hilly, riverside suburbs of Brisbane. He still lives in, and represents, the seat of Rankin to Brisbane’s south. For him, access to the admirable, but slippery, Australian dream of a fair go was life changing. Tertiary education was the key, access which is sadly becoming much harder for many. Continue reading...