Maintaining ethical supply chains

Human rights groups and researchers are warning that a combination of increased unemployment and new demand for labour in expanding areas like personal protective equipment (PPE) and agriculture means there is a real risk of increased worker exploitation and even slavery.

The green shoots of recovery

While Germany, Italy and the United States will participate in the G7 summit as global leaders in green competitiveness, Australia will attend as a ‘green laggard’, according to a new global analysis. 

COVID-19 and the global microchip shortage

The manufacturing world is facing one of its greatest challenges in years in the form of a global shortage of semiconductors – and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.

Tougher environmental policies can create economic winners

There seems to be a working assumption that if Australia adopts tougher environmental policies, then economic growth will be undermined but new research finds the opposite is true.

Bouncing back

An uptick in business investment suggests a bright outlook for jobs and output as the economy recovers from the measures imposed to control COVID-19.

A billion-dollar waste of migrant skills

One in four permanent skilled migrants work in a job beneath their skill level according to a CEDA report, and this skill underutilisation is costing the Australian economy at least $1.25 billion.

Economic ups and downs

Australia’s official unemployment rate falling to 5.5% is enough to make a treasurer dance but we shouldn’t get too carried away.

The budget can help young workers

Labour market scarring can have a lifelong effect on people’s earnings and their ability to climb the employment ladder, says UNSW Business School’s Richard Holden.

Can Asia reinvent global trade?

Asia is becoming the world’s most important trading region, and its political divisions and realities are increasingly shaping the global economy.

The risks of economic coercion

China’s attempts to bully Australia and other nations through trade bans could back-fire.

Labor’s plan to boost post-pandemic manufacturing

The Labor Party has pledged the creation of a $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund to promote manufacturing in Australia’s post pandemic economy.

More vaccinations means more jobs

Australia weathered the pandemic well, but a greater sense of urgency is required to vaccinate the population and get the economy going again.