Youth unemployment has re-emerged as a significant problem in recent years (see chart above), partly as a result of the general economic sluggishness since the financial crisis. Also, Australia’s inflexible workplace relations regulations are likely playing a role, and youth unemployment would be lower with a more flexible regime. Workplace relations is a big issue for Queensland businesses. Regarding a joint submission with other industry bodies to the Productivity Commission’s workplace relations inquiry, Nick Behrens from CCIQ commented (see Qld industry bodies join to call for IR overhaul):

“This will be the biggest issue for businesses for 2015…We have to move away from a regime that seeks to protect employees against the worst case of the employer – to the detriment of the vast majority who do the right thing by their workers.”

I’ve previously commented on the youth employment boost that could come from deregulation in a number of areas:

Reduce youth unemployment through improved regulation – e.g. of penalty rates, taxis