News, media releases, opinions and articles from the Centre for Future Work.
Chalmers is right, the RBA has smashed the economy
In recent weeks the Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been criticised by the opposition and some conservative economists for pointing out that the 13 interest rate increases have slowed Australia’s economy. But the data shows he is right. Last year the government announced it was considering removing its statutory power to overrule the Reserve Bank. Thankfully…
The 9 to 5 is back! Time to put the phone on silent
A new report on Australia’s standard of living has found that low real wages, underfunded public services and skyrocketing prices have left many families experiencing hardship and hopelessness. Business representatives sit down today with government and others to talk about productivity. Who, according to those business representatives, will need to change the way they do…
Former ACCC Chair Professor Allan Fels to Deliver Third Annual Laurie Carmichael Lecture
The Carmichael Centre is proud to announce that the third annual Laurie Carmichael Lecture will be delivered on 5 September 2024 by Professor Allan Fels AO, former Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Chair of the recent Inquiry into Price Gouging and Unfair Business Practices. He will be joined in conversation…
Closing Loopholes Protections, Including Right to Disconnect, Come Into Effect 26 August
New labour rights coming into effect on 26 August, including the ‘Right to Disconnect’. On Monday, 26 August, several legal and regulatory changes included in the Closing Loopholes Act (passed earlier this year by Parliament) will come into effect. These changes will better protect casual employees, with a new legal definition of what constitutes casual…
Off-Peak Hot Water: One Simple Change to Support Renewable Rollout
Australia’s off-peak hot water systems should be reconfigured to consume electricity in the middle of the day, rather than at night, according to new research from the Australia Institute and Buildings Alive. This one simple change could redirect much of the clean, cheap renewable energy that is currently being wasted, or “curtailed”, by the National…
Would you like a recession with that? New Zealand shows the danger of high interest rates
New Zealand’s central bank raised interest rates more than Australia and went into a recession – twice. Recently there have been calls for the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates because inflation has remained “sticky” at 3.5%-4%. These calls are coming even though this may push Australia into recession. This horrifying scenario is being shrugged…