Monthly Archives: January 2005

Iraq Votes

Posted on January 31, 2005 by andrewleigh

I couldn’t be more delighted to see that the turnout in the Iraqi elections has amply exceeded the turnout in recent US elections (the SMH says 72%, though US papers were reporting slightly lower figures). For the sake of the … Continue reading →

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Howard Approval

Posted on January 28, 2005 by andrewleigh

Much is being written these days about Howard’s recent high approval ratings. But what I find most interesting is not that the level is high — but rather that the volatility is markedly lower in recent years. According to Newspoll, … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian issues | 3 Comments

Looking out for one's mates

Posted on January 27, 2005 by andrewleigh

Today’s SMH carries this snippet: But just as Beazley was ambling away to his waiting car, a reporter came racing up with the news Gillard had just gone public with her decision to pull out of the leadership race. A … Continue reading →

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The Gentlemen is for Turning

Posted on January 24, 2005 by andrewleigh

Just finished Tim Winton’s The Turning. It’s amazing. Seventeen short stories about life on the WA coast, compellingly interweaved. I used to think that Peter Carey was Australia’s best living novellist. Now I think it’s Winton.

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And in the West….

Posted on January 24, 2005 by andrewleigh

…Centrebet has the two main parties in the WA state election in a dead heat, both pay $1.85 for a win. While Labor is down in the polls (neatly summed up in this oped by Peter van Onselen), Centrebet clearly … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Labor's odds shorten

Posted on January 18, 2005 by andrewleigh

With Mark Latham resigning, Centrebet has shortened the odds of a Labor victory at the next election (probably 2007) from $3.00 to $2.55. What does this mean? Taking into account the Coalition odds, and hence the bookies’ profit margin, Centrebet … Continue reading →

Posted in Australian issues | 3 Comments

The Donahoo-Leigh Bets

Posted on January 17, 2005 by andrewleigh

Daniel Donahoo, a fellow at the thinktank OzProspect, recently wrote an article in New Matilda on our use of oil (the title is "Our Greatest Addiction" – alas you need to pay to view it). In the spirit of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Baaaack

Posted on January 17, 2005 by andrewleigh

Sorry about the blog break. Gweneth and I planned to spend a week in the US – her to visit her folks in Philadelphia, and me to attend the American Economic Association meetings. But the day after we landed, I … Continue reading →

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