News

News, media releases, opinions and articles from the Centre for Future Work.

Australia’s “stupid” surplus obsession must end

A budget surplus doesn’t mean a government is good at running the economy – we...

The RBA should keep its finger off the interest rate trigger

With unemployment tumbling in February, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) should resist the urge...

Increasing minimum wage would not drive inflation up: new report

A significant increase to the minimum wage, and accompanying increases to award rates, would not...

Fixing the work and care crisis means tackling insecure and unpredictable work

The Fair Work Commission is examining how to reduce insecurity and unpredictability in part-time and...

Aged care wage rise decision crucial for elderly Australians

The Australia Institute says wage rises for aged care workers will improve the lives of...

Most Coalition voters back right to disconnect

Two-thirds of Coalition voters back newly legislated protections for employees’ right to disconnect from emails...

On International Women’s Day: How the Fair Work Commission Can Really Take On the Gender Pay Gap

This International Women’s Day, it is time to call on Australia’s workplace umpire, the Fair...

Aged care reforms fall short on quality, safety

Mandating sector-wide aged care training requirements would make elderly Australians safer while bolstering workforce stability,...

The gas industry is laughing at us as they make more money but not more tax

Despite soaring production and revenues the gas industry is not paying more tax Australia produces...

More loopholes to close on insecure work … and a new right to disconnect from work

Late yesterday the final part 2 of the government’s Closing Loopholes industrial relations bill was...

“Right to Disconnect” Essential as Devices Intrude Into Workers’ Lives

Australia’s Parliament is set to pass a new set of reforms to the Fair Work...

Fels’ Review Confirms Corporate Practices As Key Drivers of Inflation

The Australia Institute welcomes the report of the Inquiry Into Price Gouging and Unfair Pricing...

We Cannot Truly Value ‘Care’ Until Workers Using Digital Labour Platforms Get Fair Pay and Conditions

Unless minimum employment standards for care and support workers using digital labour platforms are guaranteed,...

New Report Reveals Changing Face and Future of Self-Employment

A new report by the Australia Institute shows self-employment in Australia has changed in recent...

Closing Loopholes: Important repairs to the industrial relations system, no more, no less

Labour hire workers can no longer be paid less than employees doing the same job...

Special Issue of Journal Marks Halfway Point of First Albanese Government

The Journal of Australian Political Economy, a peer-reviewed journal based at the University of Sydney,...

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...

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...

Paying for Collective Bargaining

Recent labour law reforms in Australia have focused attention on the crucial role played by...

Solidarity Research for Union Renewal

‘Solidarity research for Union Renewal’ brings together cutting-edge researchers and unionists to share their knowledge...

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...

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...

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...

When the prices of necessities are rising fast, the RBA does not need to hit households with another rate rise

Another rate rise is not going to do anything other than add to the cost...