Unconventional Economist

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also Chief Economist and co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.

Intergenerational Report locks in mass migration forever

Fire Labor’s housing liars

Home Affairs minister Tony Burke on Thursday delivered his long-awaited National Press Club address on how Labor will reform the immigration system.

Intergenerational Report spins productivity growth fairytales

Sydney’s housing market bloodbath

Sydney’s housing correction has reached a new milestone, with Cotality’s daily dwelling values index now showing values down 8.0% from its peak in early March 2026.

One Nation has Labor well beaten on immigration

Last week was seminal for immigration policy in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released population data for the March quarter of 2026, highlighting the record net overseas migration (NOM) under the Albanese government since it took office in June 2022.

Australia’s auction market gets a reality check

Last weekend, there was talk that the housing correction may be stabilising after the national auction clearance rate rose to a 19-week high of 52.6%.

Weekend reading and MB Media appearances

Odds increase for a 2027 Australian recession

An immigration lesson for ignorant Australian journalists

Several Australian journalists and economists have claimed this week that One Nation’s sensible proposal to reduce the stock of temporary migrants back to pre-pandemic levels would create skills shortages and worsen population ageing.

Victoria backs away from renewable transmission projects

Victoria has legislated a target to source 95% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2035.

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