Economic Roundtable Raises Doubts: Are Chalmers and Albo Chasing the Wrong Solutions?
In a sharply worded critique, economist and columnist Judith Sloan questions the direction of Australia’s economic leadership under Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following a recent economic roundtable that, in her view, delivered more performance than policy.
Sloan argues that the event lacked real answers to Australia’s pressing issues—namely tax reform, productivity stagnation, and long-term fiscal sustainability. She paints the roundtable as more of a stage show than a forum for genuine reform, describing it as a “carnival of economic illusions.”
With public debt rising, productivity growth flatlining, and an ageing population putting pressure on the budget, many had hoped the roundtable would offer clear, actionable steps forward. Instead, Sloan suggests, what Australians got was a series of vague platitudes, political posturing, and little in the way of substance.
“Given the lack of concrete solutions,” Sloan writes, “one might wonder whether a well-trained dog could offer more clarity than what emerged from this carefully choreographed gathering.”
Her critique taps into growing frustration among economists, business leaders, and the public over what is perceived as the Albanese government’s slow pace on delivering much-needed economic reform. Despite warnings from multiple experts that Australia’s tax system is increasingly unsustainable and that productivity improvements are essential to lifting wages and living standards, the government has largely avoided major changes.
Sloan’s broader point isn’t just about one event—it’s about a deeper concern that the government is focused more on optics and messaging than on the tough decisions needed to secure Australia’s long-term economic health.
As pressure mounts, the key question remains: will Canberra move beyond economic theatre and deliver meaningful reform, or will it continue barking up the wrong tree?
