Yesterday
NAB executive warns of ‘elusive’ productivity gains in age of AI
Finance executives have been circumspect about the transformative power of the new technology, suggesting return on investment should be the focus.
- James Eyers
This Month
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Hilmer reforms of 1990s helped lift productivity. We can do it again
Fred Hilmer’s reforms were groundbreaking because a series of small changes had a massive cumulative effect. With changes to competition policy, we could lift Australia’s GDP by up to $45 billion a year.
- Danielle Wood and Alex Robson
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why our top corporate regulator wants less regulation
ASIC chairman Joe Longo says complex regulation is hurting businesses, consumers and the regulator’s work. It’s another window into Australia’s productivity problem.
- James Thomson
AI job growth to fuel demand for 480,000sq m of office space: report
JLL research suggests that by 2030, artificial intelligence will become the second-largest sector in the Australian economy, offering opportunities for office landlords.
- Michael Bleby
AI gets real as big business finds its feet
An era of cautious, low-stakes experimentation is rapidly giving way to tangible changes in how some of Australia’s largest operations run.
- Paul Smith
Lack of action on workplace harassment holds back productivity
Readers’ letters on the impact of anonymous harassment reports; the need for flexibility in the super system; fee-free university; Trump’s inflation danger; working-class voters; and climate obligations.
The mantra that keeps this CEO ahead of the game
Former Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah reveals how he avoids distractions, what he has learnt from the collapse of two airlines and why he doesn’t eat until midday.
- Sally Patten and Martin Peralta
- Opinion
- Economics explained
How a 5¢ Tesla explains the problem with inflation
A fundamental economic truth explains ever-rising services inflation and why it’s a big problem for governments.
- Richard Holden
October
Time to catch up with QR code payments
Readers’ letters on a better way to pay; productivity in the mining industry; benefits of new merger laws; Japan’s gas demands; and a true Whyalla wipeout.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Why mining lies at the heart of Australia’s productivity problem
Australia badly needs to diversify towards more productive industries. The politically privileged position of the mining industry is one of the obstacles.
- Adrian Blundell-Wignall
Office distractions hinder workplace productivity: study
Fewer distractions and better supervision have emerged as critical ingredients to driving better productivity returns from hybrid working.
- Tom Burton and Euan Black
NDIS is sucking in workers from more efficient jobs
Flatlining growth in the care economy and surging spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme is threatening to make households poorer.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Global economy
This book changed the world. The West needs to read it again
More than three-quarters of a century after Friedrich Hayek faced trenchant opposition, the ideals he championed must be fought for once more.
- Tom Switzer
This AI agent can spare you inconvenient meetings by deputising
Mindhive has developed AI-enhanced avatar software that allows users to create digital ‘twins’ of themselves to stand in when they are unavailable.
- Alexandra Cain
Growth slump could fuel inflation and spending blowout: central banks
Low productivity growth could prolong inflation and lead to an economic slowdown, generating social unrest and causing a blowout in government spending, the Bank for International Settlements says.
- Michael Read
- Analysis
- Government Observed
Why measuring public sector productivity is so slippery
When Productivity Commission researchers examined past assessments of the health system’s productivity earlier this year, they were pleasantly surprised.
- Tom Burton
September
- Opinion
- Flexible working
WFH is hugely more productive than CEOs admit
Demands for workers to return to the office full-time have a rose-tinted view of in-person work.
- Emma Jacobs
Tax, not childcare fees, keeps women at home
The Productivity Commission and economists agree that fiddling with childcare subsidies will not increase women’s workforce participation.
- Julie Hare
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why work from home might get mugged by a slowing economy
A slowing economy and shift in technological advancements are set to change the battle over the future of work again.
- James Thomson
Shift tax incentives from property to enterprises to lift productivity
Readers’ letters on how to encourage business investment; excess government; digital currency and the RBA; Senate solutions; ALP woes; duck hunting; and energy inequality.