Comments on: Paul Kelly, John Howard and East Timor http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/09/09/comments-corrections-clarifications-and-cckups-77/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:48:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Greg Barns http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/09/09/comments-corrections-clarifications-and-cckups-77/#comment-36989 Greg Barns Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:27:53 +0000 http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/09/09/comments-corrections-clarifications-and-cckups-77/#comment-36989 Guy Rundle has misled readers. I did not say that the Productivity Commission was free from ideological bias - no one on this planet is. What I did say -and Mr Rundle ought to take more care before he avails himself of the opportunity to stand up for his protectionist friends who think consumers should pay through the nose for books - is that the Productivity Commission has never been politicised in the way some other government agencies have been over the years - Immigration is a prime example. The Productivity Commission's forecasts have been proven right time and time again and that is because its work is free from political and vested interest manipulation. Mr Rundle's musings about Scandinavia are interesting but again misleading. Those countries over the past two decades have implemented a number of pro-market policies, including liberalising trade, more open borders and a greater commitment to free trade. Thee economic performance has improved as a consequence - funny about that! Guy Rundle has misled readers. I did not say that the Productivity Commission was free from ideological bias - no one on this planet is. What I did say -and Mr Rundle ought to take more care before he avails himself of the opportunity to stand up for his protectionist friends who think consumers should pay through the nose for books - is that the Productivity Commission has never been politicised in the way some other government agencies have been over the years - Immigration is a prime example.

The Productivity Commission’s forecasts have been proven right time and time again and that is because its work is free from political and vested interest manipulation.

Mr Rundle’s musings about Scandinavia are interesting but again misleading. Those countries over the past two decades have implemented a number of pro-market policies, including liberalising trade, more open borders and a greater commitment to free trade. Thee economic performance has improved as a consequence - funny about that!

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