December 2023
The Stage 3 tax cuts will make our bad tax system worse
Australia has one of the weakest tax systems for redistribution among industrial nations, and as Dr Jim Stanford writes, the Stage 3 tax cuts will make it worse.
Higher exports prices improve the budget, but the Stage 3 tax cuts remain the wrong tax at the wrong time
As the Budget outlook improves, with most of the benefits of Stage 3 tax cuts going to those earing over $120,000, over 80% of workers will be short-changed
Paying for Collective Bargaining
Recent labour law reforms in Australia have focused attention on the crucial role played by collective bargaining in achieving higher wages, safer working conditions, and better job security.
Solidarity Research for Union Renewal
A Symposium of Researchers and Trade Unionists co-hosted by the Centre for Future Work and Unions WA.
November 2023
Employers Steal More than 280 Hours from Workers Each Year: Go Home on Time Day Report 2023
Despite record-low unemployment, Australian employers are still managing to steal more than 280 hours from their employees each year.
After two years of profit-led inflation, workers deserve the pay rises they are getting
The wage rises for low-paid workers on awards and those working in aged care helped drive the strong wage growth.
Real wages to take over a decade to recover
The RBA now expects real wages to grow much slower than they were predicting in August, and it means it will take many more years to recover what has been lost in the past three.
...
The Government needs to act on Stage 3 as the RBA warns about wealthy households spending
The RBA made it clear one group continues to do well, and continue to spend – and they are also the ones who are about to get a massive tax cut.
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.
October 2023
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
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
Australia is an energy super power, we need to use that power for good
Australia is already an energy superpower, but our governments have lacked the courage to use that power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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.
..September 2023
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
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.
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.
Starting to see some signs of stronger wage growth from enterprise agreements
Some recent strong wage growth in enterprise agreements bodes well for workers
New laws for ‘employee-like’ gig workers are good but far from perfect
The Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has described proposed new laws to regulate digital platform work as building a ramp with employees at the top, independent contractors at the bottom, and gig platform workers halfway up. The new laws will allow the Fair Work Commission to set minimum standards for ‘employee-like workers’ on digital platforms.
A record number of Australians are now working more than one job to make ends meet
In the past year the number of people working more than one job has risen 7%.
‘Wages, employment and power’: Call for conference papers
The Centre for Future Work is hosting a stream at the upcoming AIRAANZ Conference. Join us as we continue the AIRAANZ and the Centre for Future Work traditions of bringing researchers and activists together to debate important issues in the world of work and industrial relations. The AIRAANZ (Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia
The weak economy shows the Reserve Bank is not threading the needle
We have now had two consecutive quarters of GDP per capita falling – hardly the soft landing the RBA wants.
August 2023
Australia’s emissions are rising at a time they need to fall quickly
The latest quarterly greenhouse gas emissions survey shows that Australia is heading in the wrong direction – and that needs calling out.
Urgent Need for Australia’s Climate Industry Policy
For the first time in decades, Australia is talking about industry policy.
Enterprise agreements data shows wage growth remains steady despite some solid increases
The average wage growth in enterprise agreements shows that workers continue to see their real wages fall.
Report Reveals True Potential of Fully Funded Public Schools
A new report from the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work is calling for increased investment in public school funding to lift flagging school completion rates and spark economic growth.
General Enquiries
Emily Bird Office Manager
mail@australiainstitute.org.au
Media Enquiries
David Barnott-Clement Media Advisor
david.barnott-clement@australiainstitute.org.au