The Government Pension Fund of Norway appears to work well. So when Australia has reduced it's limited mineral resources to hollow shells in the ground, Norway will be sleeping soundly. Food for thought I reckon.

So let's have a tax on carbon instead! Shame we have economists spouting ideas like this. Why not throw in a tax on nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium as well?

Thank you Andrew for the first sensible and accessible article I have read on the issue. You make a sound argument for your case, (so lacking in today’s media hyperbole and the focus group slogan led politics). The article may have even been persuaded me to a different point of view.

Billy, i do not agree with your assessment of Leigh's article.

There are a few pararagrphs which question the need for a sovereign wealth fund, but mostly it is mere propaganda for the business as usual approach by Labor (and how good are we).

As far as intellectual insight into the issues, I rate the article a joke, particularly his mention of a carbon tax and saving the Great Barrier Reeef when actual global emmissions are going up and up, and Labor relies even more on coal exports for its export wealth.

but then again, what do you expect from a politician where truth often gives way to propganda or worse

for instance, are there liabilities building for the public purse?

Is there a need to save for future infrastucture needs?

Are there signs that the future of the international economy may not be as rosy as optimists suggest?

I think if we ar going to discuss sovereign wealth funds, we might one consider if there are some real reasons for it rather than just kid ourselves everything is ok.

Yes, full credit to Norway. while it too may not be a perfect society, I think their deabte over a sovereign fund to deal from its mineral wealth may have been a bit more sophisticated.

and yet, all the ALP does is create debt .. go figure

ALP tax and spend, as in "oh hey, is that another tax, levy, surcharge coming our way?"

Will it eventuate in more waste, populist blather and unplanned excess before being cancelled, or buried?

(rhetorical, requires no answer, as it is self evident.)

Which is why someone from the ALP talking about a Sovereign Wealth fund, can only mean .. another tax coming our way.

Are we all part of a focus group, reactionary study now Andrew?

please excuse my poor grammar on comments, need to slowdown and double check before posting.