Australia Archives | Emeritus Professor John Mangan

Technophobia and Status Quo Bias in the NRL Bunker Dispute

04/10/2026

The same people who unquestionably accept autopilot landing an aircraft or robotic surgery are uneasy about technology ruling on a sporting outcome. Introduction Technology has been introduced into many professional sports to reduce referee error. It has transformed the way games are officiated across a range of sporting competitions. However, controversy over its use remains. In the National Rugby League (NRL), the bunker was introduced to assist referees in making more accurate decisions by reviewing incidents through video technology. While

Remembering the Attempt to Ban Pokies from Tasmanian Pubs and Clubs and its lessons for future gambling reform in Australia

19/07/2026

Introduction In 2017, I was commissioned by Anglicare Tasmania to provide an economic evaluation of their campaign to remove poker machines from pubs and clubs and house them exclusively in casinos (Removing Poker Machines from Hotels and Clubs in Tasmania). Australian Institute for Business and Economics director John Mangan and Anglicare Social Action and Research Centre manager Meg Webb review a report on pokies ban Unlike most other forms of consumer spending, gambling has acknowledged and measurable social costs. Yet,

Tenants and Body Corporates: Structural Tensions, Governance Dynamics, and Options for Reform

13/06/2026

Abstract Tenants frequently experience body corporates as restrictive, intrusive, or unresponsive. This perception does not arise because the body corporate model is inherently flawed, but because the incentives of tenants and body corporate members are fundamentally misaligned. Body corporate committees prioritise asset value, compliance, and long‑term maintenance, whereas tenants prioritise comfort, convenience, and flexibility. The resulting tension produces a persistent friction that is difficult to avoid within current governance structures. Introduction Prospective unit owners and downsizers often express concern about

Scare as Hen’s Teeth: Rugby League in the Movies

28/03/2026

Introduction Despite its deep cultural roots in Australia, Northern England, and New Zealand — and despite its 131year separation from Rugby Union in 1895 — Rugby League has rarely been explored in film or documentary. This stands in stark contrast to soccer, whose global popularity has inspired internationally recognised films such as Fever Pitch (1997), Bend It Like Beckham (2002), and Kicking and Screaming (2005). Even the AFL, with its strong domestic following, has not generated a significant cinematic footprint.

Income Inequality in Australia Since 1975: Trends, Drivers, and Policy Responses

28/02/2026

Introduction Income inequality is now of central concern in Australian economic and social policy debates. Since the 1970s, Australia has transitioned from a highly regulated labour market with strong wage compression to a more flexible, globalised economy (Leigh 2013). These structural changes have influenced the distribution of income, with inequality rising over time before plateauing in the 2010s. To document these changes and account for breaks in ABS data it was necessary to construct a data set from the available

The Shizuoka Senior Citizen Fitness Club

20/02/2026

(Shizuka, December 14 6.25 am) After a peaceful sleep on floor mates, I am getting ready to join the Shizuoka fitness group with my neighbour and land- lord Mr Shida. Desperate for some exercise after a long flight from Australia and two weeks of no activity, I join the group , but I’m not sure if I’ll be up to this- the Japanese are famous for extreme exercise. My fears are somewhat eased when I’m introduced to one of my

What now for the Japanese Economy: An interview with with one of Japan’s leading business consultants

06/02/2026

Introduction Introduction During my recent visit to Japan, I was fortunate enough to talk and discuss the Japanese economy with one of Japan’s leading business consultants at the American Club in Tokyo. Surprisingly, although I had undertaken, what I considered due diligence in terms of reviewing the available economic data, his views and mine on the current and future outlook for the Japanese economy differed sharply. While I cited evidence of falling per capita income (Japan now ranked 24th in the world

The Labour Market in “Home and Away” (Australian soap opera)

21/11/2025

If you are sick, need a tradesperson, want good police protection and like sports and entertainment, Summer Bay may be the place for you, despite its high mortality rate! Introduction The popular series Home and Away began in 1988, Set in the fictional coastal town of Summer Bay began with the original premise of Tom and Pippa Fletcher moving to Summer Bay with their foster children, aiming to provide a stable home for troubled youth It is Australia’s 8th longest

Why would you shop at an unfriendly grocer?

14/11/2025

On visiting a seaside resort town, I came across a shop called the “Friendly Grocer”. I wondered why it was necessary to specify friendliness?. Would customers shop, all things being equal, at an unfriendly grocer? and does greeting customers with a smile allow for higher prices? On inspection a number of unnecessary and even suspicious business names to be found Pet friendly Vet Quality meats Honest Solicitor Accurate accountants (just made this one up) Reliable Plumbing Honest Auto Repairs Perfect

Perspectives on the Japanese economy – series II

07/11/2025

Series II Reasons behind the slowdown; standard economic cycle behaviour or a peculiarly Japanese problem? All economies go through cycles. Standard economic cycles range from 5-7 years, The unusual feature of the Japanese path is that it has been sustained for longer than normal. As will be argued below, the decline in the high savings rate, formerly a bedrock of the Japanese economy is seen a principal reasons for this decline but there are other characteristics of the Japanese economy

Category: Australia

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