News from down under

Abstract

Purpose

This brief paper seeks to identify three potential threats to the future of heterodox economics in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a case study of three potential threats to the future of heterodox economics in Australia.

Findings

The first comes from funding uncertainties, given the fiscal conservatism of the new federal government. The second emanates from attempts by the élite “group of eight” institutions to secure all (or almost all) of the available research funding for themselves. The third relates to the research assessment exercises currently being undertaken both by the federal government and by the management of individual universities. It is concluded that the future is very far from clear.

Originality/value

The paper provides a case study of three potential threats to the future of heterodox economics in Australia.

Citation

King, J.E. and Kriesler, P. (2008), "News from down under", On the Horizon, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 289-292. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120810912619