New Zealand was mostly stable in key international rankings and domestic socio-economic measures. But there are signs of slippage in some areas and not enough progress in others.
The economy is expected to grow and there are other positive signs ahead but the mid-year economic update has revealed the government will need to keep inflation in check.
The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) shows the federal budget is headed for a small $1.1 billion deficit this financial year, according to the update.
(R to L) Police minister Bheki Cele, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Fannie Masemola, the head of police, at the 2022 South African Police Service Commemoration Day.
GCIS
Government departments, civil society groups and the private sector should pool resources and work together in a co-ordinated manner to prevent violent crime.
Aller au café avec des amis, un exemple de pause utile.
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Trish Keeper, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Laid-off Supie staff were paid by an anonymous donor – but many employees never get what they’re owed when a company fails. New Zealand should follow overseas examples to better protect workers.
Trade unions want the Commonwealth Employment Service brought back, in part because the government manages contracts with private providers poorly. But it might also manage the service poorly.
Hanna Wilberg, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
People on benefits are borrowing from the government to pay for essentials like power bills and car repairs. But repayments leave them with even less than before.
Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
30 years ago, Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating adopted an ambitious official target for Australian unemployment. The Albanese government just passed up a historic opportunity to go even further.
Put to the test in the past two years, the idea of a “natural” rate of unemployment has failed. There’s no need to push unemployment up to any particular rate to bring down inflation.
Alexandra township is situated next to the wealthy suburb of Sandton, laying bare post-apartheid South Africa’s vast gulf between wealth and poverty.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Efforts have been made to change the patterns of inequality in South Africa. But not enough has been done. Race-based inequality is still a real problem.
The aftermath of a 2021 fire disaster in an abandoned building in central Johannesburg.
Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Inner city occupations and shack settlements alike are the inevitable consequence of the fact that huge populations of people have to get by without a living wage.
Gabonese woman embracing a soldier after the announcement of the coup.
Desirey Minkoh/Afrikimages agency/Universal images group via Getty images
Failed developmental promises, ever shifting domestic elite alliances and popular demand for better living conditions contributed to the military removal of Gabon’s Ali Bongo Ondimba.
Residents of Accra were given financial aid during the pandemic.
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Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
The Treasury and RBA believe Australia’s sustainable rate of unemployment is above 4%, but Australia’s leading economists think 3.75% is possible long-term, and have ideas about how to achieve it.
Inflation continues to defy Zimbabwe central bank efforts
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