The road to recovery

Even as Victoria confronts a six-week shutdown in response to emerging coronavirus cases, other states are reopening. Policy responses must reflect the needs of the most vulnerable, say UNSW Business School’s Leisa Sargent and John Piggott.

A universal basic income might get us through the Covid recession

A universal basic income could help the economy recover after COVID-19, remove the work disincentives current benefits create and improve equity and social cohesion.

Putting workers first?

The focus on economic recovery will be an opportunity for unions and employers to initiate major change in industrial relations.

6 ways to bring back the Australian economy

The government faces a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild and reshape Australia’s economy for the better as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 lockdown.

Time for a new union accord?

Can the PM take a leaf from Bill Kelty’s book on industrial relations reform and bring the trade union movement together through social solidarity?

Whither Australia-China trade?

The Australia-China trade relationship is currently under significant strain.  In the long run, increased protectionism would not improve Australia’s economic welfare. 

Take the trade dispute with a grain of barley

When Australian trade with China is disrupted, commentary quickly gravitates towards the frame of economic coercion. With such deeply intertwined trade relations, coercion is, in reality, only one possible cause.

The young Australian workers hit hard by COVID-19

For governments and policy makers, COVID-19 is a chance to address the existing problems for younger Australian workers as youth unemployment looks set to peak.

The world’s not your oyster any more

After months of lockdown, it’s no surprise that people are itching to get out and about, but with border closures still in operation, it’s hard to know what to expect.

How Covid-19 infected global trade

The head of the WTO, Robert Azevedo, abruptly announced his resignation on 14 May. He didn’t explain his reason, but as the guardian of the global trade rules, it could well have been despair.

Gigging to recovery

Hundreds of thousands of Australians are out of work as a result of COVID-19, but some may find new jobs through digital platforms, particularly in areas like food delivery, writing, law, accountancy, home maintenance, IT or graphic design.

Australian property vs COVID-19

A group of 146 property experts shared their views on how COVID-19 is likely to affect Australia’s property market in a whitepaper produced by Ripehouse Advisory last month.