Productivity is often mistaken for wages. What does it really mean? How does it work?

by David Peetz

Australia’s productivity growth has reverted to the same stagnant pattern as before the pandemic, according to the Productivity Commission’s latest quarterly report. Productivity is complex and often misunderstood in media and policy debates. So before we read too much into this latest data, here are six key things to understand about productivity. 1. It’s about quantities,

January 2025

December 2024

Secret research undermines democracy

by Jack Thrower

This month, the Australian economic debate was hijacked by a report from the world’s most powerful consulting firm: McKinsey & Co. The consulting firm apparently found that declining living standards represent a “national emergency” – and the care economy, regulations and Australia’s corporate tax rate are to blame for low productivity growth. The only problem?

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

Is it any wonder we’re so distrustful of politicians?

by Bill Browne in The Canberra Times

The Albanese government’s attempt to rush through major changes to Australian elections has been delayed in the Senate – at least until February, perhaps forever. As Australia Institute research identified serious flaws, risks and loopholes in the legislation, delay is welcome – but bittersweet, because electoral reform is needed to increase confidence in politics and democracy. Good

Our crisis of integrity looms in the Pacific

by Elizabeth Morison in The Canberra Times

“An Albanese Labor government will restore Australia’s climate leadership, and listen and act on Pacific island warnings of the existential threat of climate change.” Despite a clear election campaign commitment to listen to Pacific Island nations and act on climate change, the Australian government continues to enable and encourage new and expanded fossil fuel projects. When it

An endangered Maugean Skate in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast. A unique endangered fish found only in Tasmania is surviving in just one lake, scientists have confirmed, ruling out the possibility of insurance populations being used to save the species.

Salmon spin and pollution all a bit fishy

by Eloise Carr and Rod Campbell in The Mercury

Salmon companies are ripping off Tasmania and trying to pass it off as yet another ‘jobs vs environment’ fight. This is the kind of fight that Tasmanian politicians love to have, and like performing seals, the Tasmanian government and opposition have lined up to bark and do their tricks. But the fight over salmon farming

November 2024

October 2024

Ozymandias Revisited – The doomed conceit of AUKUS

by Allan Behm in The Australian

Three years on, there is still no compelling argument, strategic or otherwise, for Australia’s acquiring eight Virginia class nuclear-propelled submarines (SSNs). Nor is there any compelling calculation of the large lick of funding – $368 billion and more – that the program will soak up. Only Defence seems able to command such stupendous outlays when

September 2024

Tanya believe this government’s environmental hypocrisy?

by Ebony Bennett in The Canberra Times

Shortly after the Minerals Council warned the government to undermine mining “at your peril”, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved three new coal mine extensions. This nature-destroying decision has come just a few weeks before the government is set to host the Global Nature Positive Summit. The government is clearly pursuing a small target strategy but,

The gas industry is gaslighting us

by Stephen Long

Barely a week goes by without another shrill headline about a supposed gas shortage and alarmist claims that the lights will go out unless multinational companies are allowed to extract more gas.

Whenever you see these headlines or hear scary claims from the gas lobby, there are two things you need to know.

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mail@australiainstitute.org.au

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glenn.connley@australiainstitute.org.au

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