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Editor's note
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Australia’s economy is capable of growing at a sustained rate of nearly 3%. That means the growth rate for the financial year just ended - 1.4% - is only half what it should be.
The last time the Australian economy performed so feebly relative to its potential was during the global financial crisis, and the time before that was when Australia was entering and recovering from a recession.
This morning I examine what went wrong and the options treasurer Josh Frydenberg has for fixing it. To date he has been keen to wait, and hope the interest rate cuts in June and July and the tax cuts delivered from July spark spending and investment.
Consumer spending accounts for more than half of the economy, and it is about as weak as it has ever been. Abstracting from population growth, Australian households are buying no more than they were a year ago.
Intriguingly, he has indicated he is considering tightening his written contract with the Reserve Bank to require it to more aggressively adjust rates, which in the current context would mean more aggressively cutting rates.
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Peter Martin
Section Editor, Business and Economy
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Top story
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An economic growth rate with a ‘1’ in front of it is unusual, and normally seen near recessions.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Peter Martin., Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Households are buying no more than they were a year ago, and the wage share of national income is the lowest since 1964.
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Don’t wait - update your phone’s software.
Franck Robichon/AAP Image
Leslie Sikos, Edith Cowan University; Paul Haskell-Dowland, Edith Cowan University
The news that malware can invade iPhones and other Apple devices via the Safari web browser has damaged Apple's reputation for security. But you can fix the problem by updating your phone's software.
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The commercial interests of Adani prevailing over the rights of the Wangan and Jagalingou people show the fragility of native title.
Dan Peled/AAP Image
Dominic O'Sullivan, Charles Sturt University
The deep politics of racial division is at play when governments position mining as in the public interest, with Indigenous land owners obstructive of that interest.
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It’s important to find a psychologist you connect with and who seems to understand you.
Priscilla Du Preez
Timothy Carey, Flinders University
Psychologists use a number of different methods, including cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and behavioural activation. Here's how they work and who they might suit best.
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Arts + Culture
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Warwick Potter, The University of Queensland
A conductor's role is about communication with performers and their audience. They do so using eye contact, dress, and of course, the fabled waving of the arms.
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Trevor Jones, Griffith University
Stages worldwide seem to have been taken over by musicals made for movie-lovers. While this creative process has a long history, it can limit opportunities for original works.
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Education
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Emily Freeman, University of Newcastle
When dads engage in active play with their kids they actually help them cope better with some of the challenges they'll face in life. And no reason why mums can't join in the fun as well.
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Health + Medicine
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Danny Eckert, Flinders University
Sleep paralysis – when you wake up but feel like you can't move – seems to be more common if you sleep on your back. But we don't know why.
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Science + Technology
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Alessandro Palci, Flinders University; Kate Sanders, University of Adelaide
_Hydrophis cyanocinctus_ is the only sea snake species known to breathe through the top of its head, using a special arrangement of blood vessels in much the same way as fish gills.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
In an address to the Lowy Institute, outgoing ASIO head Duncan Lewis warned that “the scale and scope of foreign intelligence activity against Australian interests is unprecedented”.
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Jan Gothard, Murdoch University
When the standard evidence of identity isn't enough to justify an Australian citizenship, DNA tests are requested.
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Business + Economy
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Irena Obadovic
New Zealand is in the process of negotiating a free-trade agreement with the EU. Agriculture is likely to become an issue because it is heavily subsidised in Europe but not in New Zealand.
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Katherine Wynn, CSIRO
Growth in demand for healthy and sustainable products could make Australia's food and agribusiness sector more valuable than mining.
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Environment + Energy
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Dale Dominey-Howes, University of Sydney
Hurricane Dorian has devastated the Bahamas, with the death toll expected to rapidly rise as rescue work gets under way.
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Featured jobs
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The Conversation AU — Wellington, Wellington
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University of Melbourne — Parkville, Victoria
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Curtin University — Perth, Western Australia
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National Tertiary Education Union — South Melbourne, Victoria
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Featured events
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Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3006, Australia — University of Melbourne
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Forum Theatre, Level 1 Arts West Building, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia — University of Melbourne
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Moorooduc Highway, Frankston, Victoria, 3199, Australia — Monash University
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Learning and Teaching building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton campus, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia — Monash University
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