International award 2015

Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute.

Richard wins this year for his exceptional essay on obscure language and persuasive agendas in economics, ‘Of Clowns and Treasurers’. Most of us are in no position to question the wisdom of 'economic experts'. Thankfully, people like Richard, who's very much in a position to comment, can cut through lies and spin on our behalf.

Economics doesn't tell us that we need to cut taxes for the rich or cause climate change if we really want to help the poor. And "the markets" don't tell us that either. Those are the sentiments of some wealthy people, and some politicians who represent them. But they say it in econospeak because it sounds so ridiculous in plain English.