Tag Archives: Public Health

No granny chic in nanny state shtick

Risk-averse paternalism makes for a perverse reversal of freedoms. The nanny state isn’t a cheap Tory slogan. It is a threat to our free, open, pluralist society. Chris Middendorp wrote on these pages last week, in justifying why governments should … Continue reading

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Should packaged alcohol display health warnings?

MANDATED alcohol warning labels don’t work and perpetuate the government-sponsored drift away from individual choice and responsibility that fuels alcohol abuse. Our society is built on principles protecting our rights to choose our own life. That requires us to accept … Continue reading

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Lack of policy leadership in Australia

Leadership is still about “that vision thing.” But it’s also about being able to prosecute it within your sphere of influence for challenges you can respond to. For those of us enthusiastic about public policy, the Australian debate is rather … Continue reading

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Market lessons from the financial crisis

The lesson of the global financial crisis is that freer markets work and are vital to address our current local challenges. At the heart of the crisis were government-mandated, sub-prime loans that were repackaged as ‘‘toxic debt” – hot potatoes … Continue reading

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Good health and principled public policy needn’t be contradictory

I’ve long held libertarian-leaning views on consumption. But supporting people’s right to choose and supporting their choices are different things. Ultimately the relationship between individuals and government is an odd-one exacerbated by taxpayers picking up the bill for the consequences … Continue reading

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