|
With so much attention on the economy through the federal government’s two-day jobs summit, there is increasing pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to dispense with the stage three tax cuts due in mid-2024. This is the final, massive stage of the previous Coalition government’s tax cuts, which will cost more than $240 billion over a decade.
Michelle Grattan writes that while some critics, such as the Greens and crossbench senator David Pocock, argue the cuts will most benefit the very highest income earners and want the government to dispense with them, Albanese is not willing (at least in the near term) to go back on a promise he took to this year’s election, and one the government says will benefit a lot of middle-income earners.
In a separate piece, Grattan reports that Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke will legislate to allow multi-employer bargaining, at present only permitted in limited circumstances and opposed by large parts of the business community, but supported by unions and the peak body representing small businesses.
Meanwhile, renewable energy expert and former Hawke government economic advisor Ross Garnaut told the summit Australia could drive unemployment down much lower with the proper policies and a determination to take advantage of the opportunities opened up by the world’s transition to net zero emissions. This morning we publish an edited extract of his remarks, and also those of the Grattan Institute’s Danielle Wood, who outlined three priorities for future-proofing Australia’s economy.
|
|
Amanda Dunn
Politics + Society Editor
|
|
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The final, mega stage of the Coalition’s tax cuts, worth more than $240 billion over a decade, are now in the gun sights of many critics, who are calling for Anthony Albanese to dump his promise to deliver them
|
Ross Garnaut, The University of Melbourne
Australia hasn’t tried hard enough to deliver full employment. We are well-placed, if we play to our natural strengths – including having the best solar and wind resources in the developed world.
|
Danielle Wood, Grattan Institute
Like Australia, the Australian economy is getting older and slower. Revitalisation should start at school.
|
Bjorn Sturmberg, Australian National University
Coal plants are exiting the grid faster than expected. We’ll need to redouble efforts to add flexibility into our energy systems and build renewables and storage.
|
Cassandra Steer, Australian National University
Lunar mining and geopolitical squabbles are set to play key roles in humanity’s return to the Moon.
|
Jennifer Ann McDonell, University of New England
Defenders of free speech are often the same people who seek to silence those they do not happen to agree with.
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The government will bring in early legislation for multi-employer bargaining and implement a range of other changes to the industrial relations system.
-
Terry Goldsworthy, Bond University
Raising the age is a response that removes responsibility for poor behaviour, but doesn’t necessarily address the causes underlying youth crimes.
-
Adrian Beaumont, The Conversation
With two months to go until the US mid-terms, President Joe Biden has seen a significant lift in his approval ratings.
-
Emma Baker, University of Adelaide; Andrew Beer, University of South Australia; Marcus Blake, University of Canberra
The proportion of housing that’s unoccupied has actually fallen since the last census, but the key issue is most of these dwellings are not in the areas where the need for housing is greatest.
|
|
Health + Medicine
|
-
Enzo Palombo, Swinburne University of Technology; Sarah McLean, Swinburne University of Technology
By following some simple steps when preparing and storing foods, it is possible to safely reheat foods more than once.
-
Christopher Rudge, University of Sydney; Cameron Stewart, University of Sydney
The latest plan is comprehensive, sober, realistic and the product of considerable consultation. But it’s missing a few key issues if we are to adequately protect consumers.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Parwinder Kaur, The University of Western Australia
The smoky mouse was already fighting extinction when a devastating bushfire season decimated 90% of its habitat. Thankfully, all is not lost.
|
|
Environment + Energy
|
-
Timothy Minchin, La Trobe University
Electric vehicles were around long before their fossil fuel rivals. They are also set to outlast them because of advantages their advocates noted as early as a century ago.
|
|
Education
|
-
Andrew Norton, Australian National University
Upfront cash payments would be more helpful to students than cheaper course fees - as this makes cost-of-living easier while studying.
-
Sue Bennett, University of Wollongong
The new federal education minister has kicked off what could be a major reset of university research funding in Australia, with a review and stern letter to the Australian Research Council.
|
|
Business + Economy
|
-
John Buchanan, University of Sydney; Ian Hickie, University of Sydney; Jo-An Occhipinti, University of Sydney
Mental wealth – the social and economic value of mental health – is the one big item missing from the agenda at the jobs summit.
-
Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The government will bring in early legislation for multi-employer bargaining and implement a range of other changes to the industrial relations system.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
The Conversation AU
Melbourne VIC, Australia
•
Full Time
|
|
|
University of Tasmania
Launceston TAS, Australia
•
Full Time
|
|
|
Australian National University
Canberra Australian Capital Territory, Australia
•
Full Time
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
Featured Events, Courses & Podcasts
|
View all
|
|
1 - 2 September 2022
•
Perth
|
|
5 September 2022
•
Melbourne
|
|
5 - 9 September 2022
•
Carlton
|
|
5 - 11 September 2022
•
Online
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
