Today
China exposes our military
Readers’ letters on Chinese ships near Australia, rising wages and productivity, Donald Trump’s tariffs, the NDIS, Peter Dutton and Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop.
Yesterday
Labor pushes for above-inflation minimum wage rise despite RBA warning
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has warned that increasing wages while productivity remains stagnant will put future interest rate cuts at risk.
Fourfold rise in union visits at BHP’s Pilbara mines is not helping wages
It is amazing how quickly a summit about the workforce reveals the chasm between government and big business. BHP’s Pilbara mines are a great example.
March
The tax cut that will only buy you a coffee
The Labor government appears to have chosen a cut confined to the lowest rate so that it could stick to its “tax cut for everyone” slogan.
‘Missed opportunity’: Business underwhelmed by Chalmers’ offering
While welcoming a surprise tax cut of $536 a year for workers, business groups say the budget failed to fix stagnant productivity and the structural deficit.
This vice chancellor blames populism for worsening productivity
University of NSW vice chancellor Attila Brungs says government, business and universities should be working together to fix stagnant productivity.
What happened when Domain learnt it spent $36m a year on meetings
Time spent in meetings blew up after the pandemic. This Australian start-up is helping companies wrest back control.
How to spot a low performer at work
Good performance management requires the time and attention of managers, but cost-conscious companies are increasingly thinning them out.
Three reasons Victoria has joined Tasmania, SA as a beggar state
Unless it can substantially improve its productivity performance, Victoria will continue to be the butt of sneering from richer states.
Memo to Hugh Marks: DOGE-like efficiency’s the fix for ABC’s news bias
The new managing director forcing the newsroom to operate as productively as commercial rivals would lead to more stories, more views and more angles.
Meet the workplace vibers powered by AI
When AI helps your most annoying colleague get ahead by pretending an expertise they don’t have, who will be there to check their beautifully crafted nonsense?
The secret to a strong economy is women
I’ve seen first-hand that when you tap the talents of the whole population you draw from the very best available. The more capable people we have, the better.
Coalition promises red tape assault but demurs on Labor’s IR laws
Angus Taylor says the country needs to stop relying on population growth to boost productivity, adding he would pursue an aggressive deregulation agenda.
Coalition says it will fast-track FIRB process for security partners
In a speech to the Financial Review Business Summit, Treasury spokesman Angus Taylor will promise to facilitate business investment and lift productivity.
Musk isn’t the only one who wants to know what you did last week
Bosses across the world want the same thing, as do many employees, especially those whose work is often invisible. It can be difficult to answer.
February
Beijing’s message rings alarm bell about dreamworld election
Australia needs to urgently invest more in naval capability. But this defence imperative clashes with fiscal challenges neither side of federal politics wants to seriously engage with.
Milton Friedman warned about budget problems such as Musk and DOGE
Special interest groups have always been a headache for government deficits and efficiency. Now they are running Washington.
Don’t neglect the human elements of productivity
Readers’ letters on the downsides of digital service delivery; Peter Dutton and big insurers; anti-hate speech legislation; RBA promises; offshore wind farms; and cost blowouts.
‘Deadening effect’ on home building: PC urges slashing red tape
Half as many houses are being built per hour worked today than 30 years ago, according to a report by the Productivity Commission.
‘The world has shifted’: CEOs query penalty rates, right to disconnect
As executives ramp up pressure on Labor and the Coalition to do more to reverse a productivity slump, more flexible workplace laws have become a priority.