Pearls and Irritations

John Menadue's public policy journal

Progressive analysis on politics, policy, world affairs, defence, society and more

Today on Pearls and Irritations

Cutting tobacco tax will not stop Australia’s illegal cigarette trade
Cutting tobacco tax will not stop Australia’s illegal cigarette trade
By Simon Chapman
Proposals to slash Australia’s tobacco excise ignore the basic economics of the illegal cigarette market, where untaxed products would remain dramatically cheaper even if tobacco taxes were heavily reduced.
The American mis-imagination of China
Why the next Trump-Xi summit could be in Australia's backyard
A Hungarian playbook for defeating populists?
Australia keeps feeding a housing system that cannot deliver
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Pearls and Irritations is an Australian platform for the exchange of ideas from a progressive, liberal perspective, with an emphasis on peace and justice.

We publish informed analysis and commentary on issues that matter to Australians, with a focus on politics, public policy, foreign policy and world affairs, defence and security, the economy, media, the arts and religion.

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