News, media releases, opinions and articles from the Centre for Future Work.
New union rights to boost workplace cooperation
New rights for volunteer union delegates are set to make workplaces more, not less, cooperative, according to a new analysis by the Australia Institute. The changes coming into effect from today – under the federal government’s Closing Loopholes Act – guarantee the rights of volunteer union delegates to represent workers and paid training leave. “Those…
Webinar: Stop passing the buck -Workers’ compensation and ‘gig’ workers
Workers’ compensation and rehabilitation are amongst the most important legal issues facing the ‘gig’ economy. This reflects the potential vulnerability of these workers and their families, co-workers, and community to harsh and long term consequences from injuries. For a while, it looked like federal industrial policy might ‘solve’ the workers compensation problem by redefining ‘gig’/platform…
“I studied economics to better understand the world and equip me with better tools to serve society”
Installment Address, Emeritus Professor Anis Chowdhury, Western Sydney University, June 2024 Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, colleagues, guests, ladies and gentlemen – and of course, graduands. Thank-you Deputy Vice-Chancellor for your generous introduction. My sincere thanks to the Board of Trustees for approving me for this prestigious title. I recognise the Traditional Custodians of the lands where…
No need for panic over ‘sticky’ inflation: Jericho
Inflation has stopped falling, but there’s no need for a further rate hike, says Greg Jericho. Inflation is stubbornly staying above the Reserve Bank’s target, but it’s not because Australian consumers are flush with cash, according to Australia Institute Chief Economist, Greg Jericho. In fact, retail spending figures suggest that people are struggling and further…
Does leave for menstruation and menopause advance women’s rights and gender equality at work?
There are growing calls for the establishment of new work rights, including additional leave, for those who experience menstruation and menopause*. These biological processes are normal and are experienced by large numbers of workers. Yet their sometimes debilitating effects have been ignored in the framework of workplace rights historically built around men’s experience of life…
Calls for massive rate hikes and recession are cavalier: Jericho
Inflation will remain higher for longer, but a recession is not the solution, says Greg Jericho. The Reserve Bank have revised their inflation projections, suggesting that interest rates are going to remain high for longer than many expected. This has sent plenty of people into a spin, with media speculating about interest rate armageddon and…