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Mannkal's e-Focus
Greetings!, On May 13 2014 at 7:30pm, the 2014-15 Federal Budget was released. Leading up to its release, consumer confidence plunged to five-year lows with fears of significant tightening of government spending. Introducing a $7 co-payment for Medicare services, altering the accessibility of unemployment benefits, removing Family Tax Benefits to families whose youngest child is six years or older, and a move to deregulate university fees by 2016, are just some of the themes of this year's Federal Budget. Check out the Centre for Independent Studies' Budget Analysis here for more details! To access Mannkal's Libertarian Primer, designed to educate Mannkal's outbound interns on the libertarian movement in Australia, please click here. Please feel free to forward this email or any of this material to your own contacts. To subscribe to this publication, please click here (for new subscribers only). Ron's regular Mannerisms this month (please scroll to the end) takes a look at State and Federal Budgets; "Do not expect water from an empty well!" 
Ron Manners Chairman |
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Quote of the Month
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"Demonstrating that a set of government decisions would improve matters is not the same as demonstrating that actual government decisions would do so."
- Gary Becker
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Rest in Peace Gary Becker
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Nobel laureate Professor Gary Becker passed away on 3 May 2014, aged 83. Graduating with a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and receiving the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1992, Professor Becker expanded the field of economics to areas traditionally the province of sociologists. In addition to his substantial contribution to economics, Professor Becker was a dedicated teacher and renowned for never having missed a class.
To read Freakonomics' Stephen D. Levitt's obituary dedicated to Professor Becker, please click here.
To read William Shughart's, Senior Fellow at The Independent Institute, dedication to Professor Becker, please click here.
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The Mont Pelerin Society Essay Contest
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The Essay Contest is open to all individuals 35 years old or younger. First, second and third prizes include a cash award ($2,500 for 1st prize) and travel grant! For more details, please click here. Essays are due in by 31 May 2014!
This year's essay topic is:
Why is recognition of human ignorance an important starting point for Hayek? To what degree is human liberty important for the progress of civilisation? Can the pretense of knowledge, independent of experience, mislead decision-making?
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Read all about it!
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A man who can save the Senate
In an era in which voters have switched off, will Bob Day, Liberal Party reject, be the man who will set Canberra alight? More > > >
The Free Market Roadshow, Vilnius
Mannkal Scholar Ashley Klingenberg reports on the Lithuanian leg of The Free Market Roadshow held on 29 April 2014 in Vilnius. With discussions concerning highly centralised political power, the link between tax policy and "brain drain", and the future of Europe following the European Parliament elections, his report provides a very interesting summary of this tremendously successful event. Please click here to read on!
The Benefits/Costs of Low Interest Rates
Nothing in this world is without a "market price". This includes the concept of interest or the cost of borrowing money. Over time the benefits of low interest rates tend to diminish. More > > >
Mannkal's "Bitcoin Girl"
Naomi Brockwell, member of Mannkal's Advisory Council and the unofficial face of bitcoin, recently sat down with interviewer, Joseph S. Diedich, to discuss "bitcoin, art and freedom". More >>>
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Look Who's Talking
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Roger Scruton on Education
Roger Scruton (dubbed the world's pre-eminent Conservative thinker) comments here on the hot topic of education.
How Weak Management Destroyed Australia's Competitiveness!
Weak management and a lack of business leaders are to blame for Australia's less than satisfactory competitiveness in the global community.
Check out Chairman Ron Manners discussing this issue at the Free Market Road Show in Milan, Italy on 8 April 2014:
- For YoutTube of speech, please click here
- For text of speech, please click here
And to hear him discuss the search for leaders in the mining industry at Curtin University on 11 March 2014:
- For YouTube of speech, please click here
- For text of speech, please click here
Mannkal's 2013/14 International Scholars
See Mannkal's 2013/14 International Scholars discussing their think tank experiences here!
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Calling all Think Tanks!
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European Resource Bank: 27-29 june 2014
Join fellow think tanks of the liberty movement for the 11th Annual European Resource Bank in the beautiful and romantic city of Aix-en-Provence, France, from 27-29 June 2014. Hosted by the Institute for Economic Studies-Europe, the event promises to deliver an exciting array of speakers who will debate the relationship between the European Union/Europe and the Liberty Movement, EP elections and recent European Union activities that have led to greater market regulation and restrictions on individual freedom. For more information, please click here.
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Apply Now!
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Freedom to Choose: 25 July 2014
The University of Notre Dame, in conjunction with Mannkal, will be hosting the annual Freedom to Choose Conference in July this year. For more details, please click here. Mannkal will be sending 20 students to this year's Conference. To apply, please email your resume, statement of academic record, and one paragraph explaining why you want to attend to Becky Vidler at scholars@mannkal.org. Apply now to secure yourself a spot!
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Upcoming Events
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History of Economic Thought Society of Australia Conference: 11 July 2014
Mannkal will be sending a number of interested students to attend the annual HETSA Conference in Auckland this year. For more information, please click here.
Samuel Griffith Society Conference: 22-24 August 2014
The annual Samuel Griffith Society Conference will be held in Melbourne this year at Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens. Mannkal is pleased to announce that it will be sending a number of students to attend the conference free of charge.
To apply to attend any of the conferences listed above, please email you resume, statement of academic record, and a one page cover letter outlining your interest in attending to scholars@mannkal.org. Registration and travel to and from conferences will be provided by Mannkal through Western Australian universities.
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Mannkal's Scholarships!
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Mannkal will be sending a number of bright talented undergraduate students to attend renowned international think-tanks across the globe this winter break. For details about these scholarships, please check out Mannkal's latest edition of
Mannkal's Musings, a link to which is provided above.
For answers to any queries, please contact Mannkal's Scholarships Coordinator, Becky Vidler ( scholars@mannkal.org).
2014 Mont Pelerin Society Conference, Hong Kong: 31 Aug- 5 Sept
Mannkal is pleased to announce that it will be sending Christopher Vu (UWA), Mukuka Kasonde (Murdoch University), Arohi Kaila (UWA), Matthew Bunny (UWA), Magnus Hambleton (UWA) and Alexander Dixon (UWA) to attend this year's Mont Pelerin Society Conference in Hong Kong. Stay tuned to hear about their experiences!
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Mannerisms
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''Do not expect water from an empty well!" More > > >
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