The purpose of the Barefoot Economist is to provide Frank, Fearless and Down-to-Earth economic analysis of issues that have social, environmental and economic consequences. It seeks to improve the rigour of economic debate primarily in Australia but also in the rest of the world. The Barefoot Economist is interested in solving ‘wicked’ problems such as reducing Indigenous Australian disadvantage, sustainable development and preparing Australia for a difficult economic and environmental future. The Barefoot Economist is agnostic about whether government or markets can solve difficult social, environmental or economic problems – it’s about horses for courses. We won’t have all the answers, but through discussion on this website, hopefully we can move together to an effective solution.