Mimicking populists will not ease cost of living or boost productivity, Mathias Cormann warns

<p>Former minister and OECD head urges Australia not to adopt migration caps, with research showing migrants boost employment</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Australia’s mainstream political parties are being warned not to adopt populist policies such as migration caps to address voters’ grievances over the cost of living.</p><p>Instead, Australia’s longest-serving finance minister, Mathias Cormann, is urging politicians to deliver housing, real wage growth and lower energy costs by boosting productivity.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/17/mimicking-populists-will-not-ease-cost-of-living-or-raise-productivity-mathias-cormann-warns-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>