November 2023
Enterprise agreements deliver strong wage growth – which is why employers hate them
Enterprise agreements lodged in the past 3 months have helped recover some lost income for workers.
When the prices of necessities are rising fast, the RBA does not need to hit households with another rate rise
Cost of living rose by more than inflation because of interest rate rises. Another rate rise would only cause more unnecessary pain.
Australia is not being flooded by migrants
Don’t be scared by claims Australia is being inundated by migrants
October 2023
Murray-Darling Polling: Majority Support for water buybacks across Basin States, Party Lines and Regional Australia
New research released today by The Australia Institute shows strong public support for changes to Murray Darling Basin environmental and water rules.
Australia is wealthy but makes poor money choices
In the past year 3.7 million Australian households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, meaning they were going hungry, skipping meals or going entire days without eating.
Economics – The Musical
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The Reserve Bank should not raise rates on Melbourne Cup Day
Inflation is being driven by things unaffected by interest rate, so there is no reason for the RBA to raise rates in November
Most Australians want Stage 3 scrapped or overhauled
More than two-thirds of Australians want the government to overhaul Stage 3 tax cuts or scrap them altogether, according to new research from the Australia Institute. When asked whether the government should repeal the Stage 3 cuts, 37% support the idea and 24% oppose it. A significant number of people – 39% – remain unsure
Stronger Wage Growth improves the Economy and the Budget
Stronger wage growth will deliver more money to workers and also improve the budget position buy delivering more tax revenue
Letters to EPA, Department: Evidence demands state and federal action against fish farm licence renewals in Macquarie Harbour
The science is clear: Removing fish farming from Macquarie Harbour is an urgent priority to be actioned before this summer.
With US trip, PM Albanese flies into the light
On election night in 2020, President-elect Biden reassured the American people that despite everything they had endured for the past four years, “I believe at our best, America is a beacon for the globe.”
SA Merger Proposal Underscores Urgent Need for Uni Transparency Reform
The shadowy decision-making process that led to a proposal to merge the two largest universities in South Australia has demonstrated an urgent need for university councils to be more transparent and accountable to the public, according to new analysis by the Australia Institute.
The latest report from the IMF highlights the need for full-employment to be the aim of the government and the Reserve Bank
If the economy grows as slowly as the IMF predicts it will for the next 2 years, Australia will be lucky to avoid a recession.
Insecure work is a feature of our labour market. New laws can change that.
Chris Wright is Associate Professor in the Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney, and a member of the Centre for Future Work’s Advisory Committee. This commentary is based on his submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023,
Enterprise agreements showing the value of bargaining
Enterprise agreements are now delivering strong wage growth and good outcomes for workers.
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Is Consultant a ‘Profession?’
As the Senate Inquiry into the management and assurance of integrity by consulting services continues, Labor senator Deb O’Neill and Greens senator Barbara Pocock have been applying the pressure to consulting firms in the hotseat. This was recorded on Wednesday 4th October 2023 and things may have changed since recording. The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute
Stage 3 Better: A way for the government to deliver better, fairer tax cuts and save money
The Stage 3 tax cuts cost too much, deliver little benefit to those who need it, and leave Australia less fair. We propose 4 ways to make Stage 3 Better
Rejigging Stage 3 Tax Cuts Could Save up to $130b
Rejigging the flawed Stage 3 tax cuts would save up to $130 billion over a decade while delivering a bigger slice of the pie to 80% of taxpayers, new Australia Institute research shows.
September 2023
Latest figures show workers continue to be the victims, not causes of inflation
The latest data of enterprise agreements shows just how necessary were the changes to the bargaining system made last year, as the number of workers covered by EBA’s remains low.
......Inflation remains headed in the right direction despite higher oil prices
Increases in the prices of commodities like oil and gas are not a reason for the RBA to raise interest rates next week
The Special (Economic) Relationship: Australia and the US
The Australia-America economic relationship is one of the world’s most consequential, worth over $2 trillion, yet few understand its depth and scale. This was recorded on Thursday 3rd August 2023 and things may have changed since recording. The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute Guest: Joey Herlihy, Research Intern, International & Security Affairs program, the Australia Institute
Enterprise agreements are showing very pleasing signs of strong wage growth
Strong wage growth from enterprise agreements shows the importance of the government’s reforms.
Opening statement to the ACTU Price Gouging Inquiry
This week Professor Allan Fels, the former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has begun an inquiry into price gouging across a range of industries, including banks, insurance companies, supermarkets, and energy providers. The inquiry commissioned by the ACTU comes off the back of the highest inflation in 30 years and the biggest falls in real wages on record.
Deteriorating Disability Worker Pay, Conditions Undermining NDIS
An urgent overhaul of poorly paid and casualised disability support work is needed to ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s viability and protect participants from substandard care, a new report by the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work says.
Corporate Profits Must Take Hit to Save Workers
Historically high corporate profits must take a hit if workers are to claw back real wage losses from the inflationary crisis, according to new research from the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work.
Research Reveals $1.2 Billion Profit from Food Waste
Australian food retailers make $1.2 billion in profit each year from selling food that households waste, according to new research from The Australia Institute.
Derailing Democracy: How Big Business Distorts Australia’s Tax Debate
The best way to stop a debate about tax reform in Australia is to start a debate about increasing the GST.
Don’t mention the coal: Australian Government tries to walk both sides of climate policy. Again
While Australia’s Foreign Minister attends the UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit in New York, the nation’s Environment Minister will be in court fighting for new coal mines.
Millionaire Tim Gurner’s Refreshing Honesty Reveals the Soul of Business
Every now and then a window opens into the soul of the business community, and we catch a glimpse of the values and goals that shape the actions of the captains of industry.
Majority of Australians support fossil fuel industry paying for the costs of climate change
A significant majority of Australians (at least 75%) are concerned about the impact of the climate crisis on food supply, agriculture and insurance premiums, and support policies that would force fossil fuel companies to pay for the damage they are causing, according to the Australia Institute’s 2023 Climate of the Nation report.
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