In August, women’s unemployment increased by 0.2 percentage points while men’s fell by 0.2 percentage points. The female underutilisation rate increased by 1.0 percentage points to 15.5 per cent while men’s actually fell 0.6 percentage points to 11.9 per cent

Women account for up to 80 percent of Australia’s hidden unemployed, new research into the current economic downturn by The Australia Institute reveals. The report finds that not only are child-care responsibilities the most common reason why women struggle to rejoin the workforce, but those same responsibilities are a major reason that women are excluded

The Rudd Government is at odds with a majority of Australians in prioritising the needs of business in its climate-change policy, according to a new paper by The Australia Institute.

Discusses how the July 2009 tax cuts are highly skewed towards the rich. High-income earners get $41 per week and low-income earners get nothing at all.

The national survey of 2000 adults found that the notion of paying blood donors does not have widespread community support. Seventy-one per cent (71%) of respondents did not think that donors should be paid for their time when they donate blood.

The underestimated revenue in the years from 2003-04 to 2008-09 is now running at $83.4 billion. Around half of that has been returned as tax cuts which disproportionately help people earning double or more than average weekly earnings (AWE). The research reveals that as a result of the past and proposed income tax cuts a

The nation’s big four banks are reaping profits amounting to three cents in every dollar spent in Australia. Westpac’s announcement today that its half year profit was $2,175 million brings the total half year profit reported by the big four, Westpac, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank, to $8,269 million, or 1.5 per cent

Australia could introduce a paid parental leave scheme that pays for itself, creates nearly 9,000 new jobs and boosts the economy. The flow-on effect of paid parental leave on women’s participation in the labour market is likely to generate additional GDP of at least $2.5 billion and additional Government revenue of $625 million. This means

An analysis of new Australian Bureau of Statistics data by The Australia Institute reveals that in September 2008 there were 780,900 people who did not have a job, wanted to work but were not included in the unemployment figures. Taking account of these ‘hidden unemployed’ brings Australia’s real rate of unemployment to 11.7 per cent,

The number of Australians out of a job is significantly more than widely reported. An analysis of new Australian Bureau of Statistics data by The Australia Institute reveals that in September 2008 there were 780,900 people who did not have a job, wanted to work but were not included in the unemployment figures. Taking account

The announcement of a $42 billion stimulus package, which provides thousands of dollars to families earning up to $200,000 and almost nothing to the long-term unemployed, is evidence that the Rudd Government like the Howard Government before it is distinguishing between ‘worthy’ and ‘unworthy’ recipients of government assistance.

The Choice of Fund Policy has failed to resolve widespread consumer disengagement with superannuation. As few as four per cent of workers switch super funds each year and around half of this is ‘passive’ choice due to job change or fund closure. Choice of Fund has also been largely unsuccessful in lowering the number of

The introduction of an Australian emissions trading scheme in 2010 makes it pointless for households to reduce their energy use.

The Rudd Government hopes to incorporate agriculture into its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) in 2015 but this initiative is unlikely to be successful.

High-income earners in Australia have enjoyed significant growth in their incomes over the past decade but the tax system has not kept pace.

Calls for the introduction of accelerated depreciation provisions for investment in clean energy. Because the price of this equipment is likely to fall sharply in the coming years, firms which invest today will experience ‘first mover disadvantage’.

The electricity industry generates around 45 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions so it is surprising to see so little R&D in this industry. The electricity industry should be at the forefront of exploring lower emissions and renewable technologies, but the figures suggest the industry is not serious about doing so.

Calls for the introduction of accelerated depreciation provisions for investment in clean energy. Because the price of this equipment is likely to fall sharply in the coming years, firms which invest today will experience ‘first mover disadvantage’.

While 56 per cent of Australians living in households with incomes of less than $40,000 per cent per year were willing to pay higher taxes to fund an increase in the aged pension, only 34 per cent of those with household incomes above $150,000 agreed.

Discusses the extent of the profits banks will generate by not passing on the full cut in official interest rates to their customers.

Australian banks should pass on the full cut in the interest rate to their customers. The Reserve Bank is trying to stimulate the economy, not the profits of Australia’s big banks.

As many as 20,000 full-time jobs could be created for just $1 billion according to a submission by The Australia Institute to the Senate inquiry into the Government’s proposed stimulus package. For $42 billion the government is only expecting to sustain 90,000 jobs over two years, which is $233,000 per job per year. At just