The Latest Breaking News from the Productivity Commission

Here’s why increasing productivity in housing construction is such a tricky problem to solve

This week, the Productivity Commission released its much-awaited report into productivity growth in Australia’s housing construction sector. It wasn’t a glowing appraisal.

The Conversation · Feb 18, 2025

Prisons don’t create safer communities, so why is Australia spending billions on building them?

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show prisoner numbers are growing in every Australian state and territory — except Victoria.

The Conversation · Jan 22, 2025

Labor pushing prefab to build more homes, quickly

The Albanese government has announced new measures to encourage innovation and faster construction in the building industry.

AAP · Nov 21, 2024

Productivity Commission charts the costly path to universal early childhood education

Big increases in government spending on child care have been recommended by the Productivity Commission, that would see families earning up to A$80,000 receive a 100% subsidy rate under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

The Conversation · Sep 18, 2024

Free childcare, more subsidies urged for those in need

About half of Australian families will benefit from more subsidies and free childcare if the federal government pursues a sustainable path to universal access.

AAP · Sep 17, 2024

Yes, it’s difficult for governments to pick green industry winners – but it’s essential Australia tries

Since the 1990s, the economic agenda of governments across much of the world has been dominated by the Washington Consensus. This is a series of policy recommendations centred on privatisation of state businesses, deregulation of industries, liberalisation of trade, and opening economies to foreign direct investment.

The Conversation · Aug 20, 2024

New Closing the Gap data shows more First Nations Australians are in prison. Why?

In 2008, Australia agreed to six targets to “close the gap” – to reduce the disparities between Indigenous people and the rest of the population in health, education and employment.

The Conversation · Jul 31, 2024

‘Deeply troubling’ trends found in first Closing the Gap report since voice referendum defeat

Malarndirri McCarthy suggests bipartisan approach needed for ‘positive change’ as report shows key Indigenous measures sliding backwards

The Guardian - AU · Jul 31, 2024

Indigenous suicide and incarceration are increasing, according to latest Closing the Gap report

The rate of suicide among Indigenous Australians is increasing, as is the rate of children in out-of-home care, according to the latest Closing the Gap report released by the Productivity Commission.

The Conversation · Jul 31, 2024

Grattan on Friday: Eyes are on Sunday’s reshuffle but government’s fears are about Wednesday’s inflation number

After Thursday’s announcement that cabinet ministers Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor were stepping down from the frontbench, all public attention came on to the reshuffle to be unveiled on Sunday.

The Conversation · Jul 25, 2024