The issue is not that a person has served “up the Hill” - something seen as desirable all round - but how long they’ve been there and how strongly identified they’ve become with one side of politics.
Gaetjens recently left the job of Treasurer Scott Morrison’s chief of staff, a position he also held with Peter Costello.
Gary Ramage/AAP
Phil Gaetjens, who has served as chief of staff to two Liberal treasurers, will now run the Treasury department, after the early resignation of the current secretary, John Fraser.
Scott Morrison released Treasury costings he has had done of Labor’s tax policies.
Daniel Munoz/AAP
South Africa’s 2017 medium term budget reveals a growing gap between revenue and expenditure which places the country in a highly vulnerable financial state.
South Africa needs to decide if it will continue to waste public money on its national carrier, or incur the costs of letting SAA go bankrupt.
Shutterstock
Spurring productivity growth requires innovation. Not just in products, but in our business models and management practices.
If wages just grow at the rate of the last 12 months, rather than at the higher growth in the budget forecasts, income tax collections will be A$7 billion less for 2019-20.
Joel Carrett/AAP
The framing of the prevailing political protests in South Africa shows too much focus on the role of individuals. This is dangerous in hearkening back to the flawed Great Man Theory.
South Africa’s cabinet reshuffle saw Malusi Gigaba become finance minister and Sifiso Buthelezi his deputy.
REUTERS/James Oatway
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.
South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has a tough job of rekindling a weak economy.
REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
A closer look into the latest financial numbers of South Africa’s state power utility, Eskom, suggest that it may be in a more vulnerable position than appreciated.
The 2016 South African local government elections showed the country moving away from single party dominance.
Rogan Ward/Retuers
Recent political events suggest that South Africa is at a crossroad where it could either be tipped into a fully corrupted state or saved by multi-party plurality