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Redefining growth
William Bourke | November 11, 2014The Group of 20 (G20) is meeting in Brisbane this week to discuss the global economy. William Bourke says we should focus less on the GDP and instead look at real progress indicators like high employment, a diverse economic base and sustainable resource management.
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Debunking myths about jobs and disabilities
Tom Baxter | November 10, 2014Minister for Employment Eric Abetz recently said that improving job opportunities for people with disabilities was a major priority for the Australian Government. Tom Baxter, CEO of not-for-profit organisation Ostara Australia, challenges all Australian employers to give people with a disability a go.
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Creating a good society, a better society or a more civil society?
Eva Cox | November 3, 2014Do we have a healthy balance between the state, the market and the community? Sociologist and activist Eva Cox says we need to work on how to restore government and community power to avoid dire consequences for our society.
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Financial technology and the consumer revolution can help find better financial advice
Christopher Zinn | October 29, 2014The pressure has been rising for more consumer-friendly ways to navigate financial advice. Christopher Zinn has launched Adviser Ratings to help consumers find the planner they need.
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Ending age of entitlement – resources under threat yet again
Laurence Strano | October 10, 2014While he was in opposition in 2012, the then-shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey had promised to end ‘the age of entitlement’ in Australia. Laurence Strano says this raises the question of where to start.
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What happened to our retirement?
Nicole Orr | September 23, 2014Australians born after 1965 will have to work until they are 70 years old. Nicole Orr says we need a greater understanding of the secondary effects this will have on the individual, the economy and the communities of Australia.
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Community services for children or commercial economic services for GDP?
Eva Cox | September 15, 2014The Government has asked the Productivity Commission for a public inquiry into future options for childcare and early childhood learning. Social and political researcher Eva Cox explains why she is critical of the recommendations in the draft report.
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Keep the Renewable Energy Target
Kevin Parton | September 2, 2014A government-commissioned review has recommended scaling back the Renewable Energy Target (RET). Professor Kevin Parton, an expert in the economics of climate change policy, believes this would be a mistake.
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Are we adequately building the resilience of young Australians as they transition from school to work?
Alexandra Loftus | July 31, 2014Young Australians experience disadvantage in the labour market for a number of reasons. Alexandra Loftus says we need to connect young people to the working world as early as possible to expose them to the realities of the job market.
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Opportunities for SMEs
Open Forum | July 21, 2014Australian and international thought leaders discussed the role SMEs can play in meeting the G20’s target of 2% growth above trend at the invitation of the Honourable Bruce Billson MP, Australian Minister for Small Business, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
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HECS-style loan scheme for Paid Parental Leave provides fairness for women and taxpayers
Matthew Taylor | July 11, 2014The Abbott government’s proposed Paid Parental Leave scheme remains controversial. Matthew Taylor from the Centre for Independent Studies lays out an alternative to the Coalition’s reforms.
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Come out from your corporate corner
Christopher Zinn | May 31, 2014Many companies often automatically hide behind industry bodies and issue statements which can’t be questioned. Christopher Zinn explains how media engagement can be about taking risks, not just avoiding them.