Debt and Deficits: Have We Lost Discipline? w/ Sinclair Davidson & John Humphreys
From Economics Explored by Gene Tunny
April 25, 2026 · 57 min · Episode 317
About this episode
The episode discusses the changing perceptions of debt and deficits in politics, exploring fiscal illusion and potential future crises in Australia.
Debt and deficits used to be political dealbreakers. So why don’t they seem to matter anymore? In this episode, Gene Tunny explores the concept of fiscal illusion with John Humphreys and Professor Sinclair Davidson. They examine whether Australia is “sleepwalking” into a more precarious fiscal position, and what could happen if a crisis hits. A thought-provoking discussion on debt, accountability, and economic literacy.
People in this episode
Host: Gene Tunny
Guests: Sinclair Davidson, John Humphreys
Topics covered
- debt
- deficits
- fiscal policy
- economic literacy
- accountability
- fiscal illusion
Keywords
- debt
- deficits
- fiscal illusion
- Australia
- economic crisis
- accountability
- economic literacy
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Australia
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