sam o'connor - Economics Students Society of Australia

sam o'connor

A collection of 10 posts

Election Hangover: ESSA Explains

Election Hangover: ESSA Explains

Last night’s election was one of the messiest in living memory. No clear result emerged on the night, and it is likely that no clear result will emerge for days or even weeks. Bill Shorten and Labor are buoyant, Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals ostensibly confident but quietly despondent.

Double Dissolution, Double Jeopardy: The Senate

Double Dissolution, Double Jeopardy: The Senate

A chaotic Senate was one of the defining characteristics of the Coalition’s term in government. It was a key motivating factor in Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to trigger a double dissolution election, which puts all 76 Senators, rather than just half, up for election. The early results, however, suggest

Election 2016: Unimelb Presidents' Pitches

Election 2016: Unimelb Presidents' Pitches

So, after 8 weeks of gaffes, selfies and high-vis vests, the moment of truth has finally arrived. Tomorrow, Australians cast their vote to decide our political future (at least for the next few months, before our traditional mid-term ministerial mutiny). Over the last 24 hours, ESSA has brought you comprehensive

Brexit: Divided Kingdom

anti-establishment

Brexit: Divided Kingdom

The results of Britain’s long-awaited referendum on EU membership are in: Britons have voted to leave, 52% to 48%. Wondering what it all means? ESSA’s Brexit coverage is here. ESSA Unimelb Editors Tom Crowley and Sam O’Connor examine the ramifications for Britain’s economy and its politics.

Nominal Interest Episode 1

Nominal Interest Episode 1

Introducing Nominal Interest, ESSA’s exciting new podcast! On Tuesday, the ESSA publications crew donned the headphones and microphones and went live on the airways courtesy of Radio Fodder for the first ever episode of new podcast, Nominal Interest. Each week, on Tuesdays at 7:00, we plan to dissect

Soccernomics

If a neoliberal economist was asked to sit down and create a system of player exchange in a sporting league, he or she would probably design something identical to European association football (aka soccer). Unlike in Australian or American sporting leagues, attempts at equalisation such as draft picks and salary

Britain's craziest ever election

Britain's craziest ever election

After five years of Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland go to the polls on May 7, with no clear idea of what will result afterwards. Since 2010, the British political landscape has undergone some of the most substantial changes seen since the Second

Republicans in the wild: a spotter's guide

2016 us election

Republicans in the wild: a spotter's guide

It’s spring 2015 in the USA, which means, naturally, candidates for an election almost 18 months away have begun jockeying for position. Americans go to the polls in November 2016 to elect the next President. Before then, however, both major parties hold primary elections, where pundits get to salivate

It's time for a land tax

Australian Capital Territory

It's time for a land tax

In 2010, the Henry Tax Review was handed down to the Government. Dr Ken Henry and his team of experts had put together a report consisting of 138 specific recommendations that would provide necessary reform to Australia’s tax system. Amongst the many recommendations was a tax that, if applied

Has austerity failed? ESSA Debate primer

Has austerity failed? ESSA Debate primer

This Friday night, teams from Melbourne and Monash will go head to head in ESSA’s annual economic debate. This year’s debate will revolve around austerity. Unless you’ve spent the last ten years in some sort of fiscal wilderness, it’s probably a term you’ve heard. But,