Labor’s productivity plan

The Albanese government’s second and possibly third term in office provides another opportunity to undertake the major structural changes required to secure Australia’s future as an inclusive and dynamic knowledge-based economy.

The productivity problem

Australia’s productivity performance has been poor for decades, but neither party wants to tackle the issue, despite its importance to economic growth.

Rough seas ahead

Businesses and global markets thrive in times of certainty, but Donald Trump’s willingness to drive a coach and horses through prior practice and common sense mean that the IMF’s world trade uncertainty index is currently 7 times higher than it was in October 2024, far higher than even during the pandemic.

Open for business

As Trump imposes tariffs to shut out the world, Australia could show the Indo-Pacific how open it is by killing the last of its tariffs, completing our trek from being a highly protected economy to one of the most open in the world.

A capital idea

To secure a prosperous future, Australia must address capital allocation within its economy, orienting to revitalise its domestic manufacturing industry.

Australia’s economic (mini) miracle

Despite COVID and the current cost of living crisis, the most striking feature of the Australian economy in the 21st century has been the exceptionally long period of fairly steady, though not rapid, economic growth.

Manufacturing security

As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, Australia must be able to sustain itself and contribute advanced capabilities by improving its much-reduced industrial capability.

Australia should steel itself for an uncertain future

A UNSW academic accepts that Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium will hurt Australia’s economy and argues that policymakers should focus on strategic adaptability and trade diversification if America seems set on autarky.

Be the change we want to see

Complaining about President Donald Trump’s tariff imposts won’t change anyone’s mind, but Australia can take on the leadership role Trump’s America has abdicated – by abolishing, rather than raising, tariffs.

Handling Trump’s tariff war

Several short-term strategies, including flexible contracting, diversification, and nearshoring, can help the Australian economy mitigate the risks and costs of US tariffs.

Mixed fortunes

Australia’s history is sprinkled with attempts at tax reform which enjoyed varying degrees of success. A new book, Mixed Fortunes, explores these efforts at substantive change in our tax system from the establishment of the Australian Constitution at Federation in 1901 to the major tax reforms of the 1980s and 1990s and the lack of tax reform today, despite fundamental economic changes.

Securing Australia’s interests in a Trumpian trade world

Australia must adopt a sophisticated and multi-layered strategy to engage the second Trump administration on trade and security.