Articles on Expenditure

Displaying all articles

In an attempt to plug a growing deficit, South Africa is increasing wealth taxes. Shutterstock

February 26, 2017

South Africa needs to do more to plug its deficit than target the rich

Thabo Legwaila, University of Johannesburg

In his 2017/18 budget speech, South Africa's finance minister Pravin Gordhan opted to focus on taxing high income earners to find desperately needed money.

South Africa’s Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan flanked by his deputy Mcebisi Jonas and Director-General Lungisa Fuzile. GCIS

February 20, 2017

Explainer: the nitty-gritty of South Africa’s annual budget

Seán Mfundza Muller, University of Johannesburg

A lot more goes into the making of South Africa's final national budget than many people realise. The process involves extensive legalities designed to ensure public oversight.

Thousands wait in line outside the social services office in Cape Town to register for grants. EPA/Nic Bothma

February 16, 2017

Why social grants matter in South Africa: they support 33% of the nation

Jannie Rossouw, University of the Witwatersrand

The unfolding social grant payment crisis in South Africa threatens the livelihoods of a third of the country's population.

Of 1082 Indigenous specific. programs identified in the report, 92% have never been evaluated to see if they are achieving their objectives. AAP/Dan Peled

August 23, 2016

How to get a better bang for the taxpayers’ buck in all sectors, not only Indigenous programs

Peter Siminski, University of Wollongong

A new report highlights how little we know about what works and what doesn't when it comes to publicly-funded Indigenous programs. It's a similar story in other policy areas – but we can do better.

Government spending, in part, reflects the policy commitments and borrowings of previous governments. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

March 1, 2016

FactCheck: has Australian government spending as a share of GDP been at GFC levels since last election?

Anne Garnett, Murdoch University

Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen told journalists that since the last federal election, the government has had spending as a percentage of GDP at GFC levels. Is that right?

Was federal treasurer Scott Morrison right about falling government expenditure? AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

February 8, 2016

FactCheck: is Australian government spending as a share of the economy falling?

Fabrizio Carmignani, Griffith University

Federal treasurer Scott Morrison said that expenditure as a share of the economy under this government is falling, not increasing. Is that right?

South Africa’s Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has a difficult task of performing a balancing act as the country’s economy grows slowly. Reuters/Sumaya Hisham

October 30, 2015

Q&A: is fiscal discipline the right recipe for South Africa?

Fiona Tregenna, University of Johannesburg

South Africa needs to spend more to stimulate economic growth. But this should not be unproductive or wasteful expenditure.

Top contributors

Mark Crosby
Associate Professor of Economics, Melbourne Business School
Fabrizio Carmignani
Professor, Griffith Business School, Griffith University
Jim Minifie
Productivity Growth Program Director, Grattan Institute
Anne Garnett
Senior Lecturer in Economics, Murdoch University
Jannie Rossouw
Head of School of Economic & Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Fiona Tregenna
Professor of Economics and SARChI Chair in Industrial Development, University of Johannesburg
Peter Siminski
Associate Professor of Economics, University of Wollongong
Seán Mfundza Muller
Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Johannesburg
Thabo Legwaila
Professor of Law, University of Johannesburg