Category Archives: Labour market

Higher long-term unemployment a marker of Qld’s under-performance relative to rest of Australia

Posted on December 30, 2019 by

In its 2019-20 Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review released in mid-December, the Queensland Government revised down the state economic outlook, with economic growth revised to 2.5%, down from 3%, and the unemployment rate revised upwards to 6.25% from 6% for … Continue reading →

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The Gender Pay Gap with Dr Leonora Risse – latest Economics Explained episode

Posted on December 12, 2019 by

My latest Economics Explained episode on the Gender Pay Gap is now available. My guest this episode is Dr Leonora Risse, who is currently a fellow in the Women and Public Policy program at the Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to … Continue reading →

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Qld Gov’t should reconsider Christmas Eve public holiday as it develops its small business strategy

Posted on November 20, 2019 by

With the Queensland Government now consulting the community on its Small Business Strategy Discussion Paper (see Discussion open for small businesses), it should be reminded it is imposing additional costs on small businesses and discouraging some economic activity through its decision … Continue reading →

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Job platforms & recruitment agencies – latest Economics Explained episode

Posted on November 14, 2019 by

In my serviced office in the Johnson hotel in Spring Hill, Brisbane, I’m surrounded by recruitment agencies. There are at least four recruitment businesses on the same floor. Recruitment agencies are still with us even though hiring has been subject … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on Jackie Trad’s interview by Steve Austin on Qld economy

Posted on October 30, 2019 by

CommSec’s latest State of the States report which was released Monday reported Queensland in fifth position among Australia’s eight states and territories. On Monday afternoon, 612 ABC Brisbane’s Steve Austin interviewed Deputy Premier-Treasurer Jackie Trad on the state of the … Continue reading →

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The Gig Economy – Economics Explained episode with Darren Brady Nelson

Posted on October 14, 2019 by

The topic of my latest Economics Explained episode is the so-called gig economy. Across the world, we’ve seen a surge in freelancing and contract work, facilitated by the proliferation of laptops and smartphones, and by web platforms such as Uber and Upwork. … Continue reading →

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Why is Australia’s workforce participation rate at a record high of 66.1%?

Posted on August 24, 2019 by

The first episode of the new season of Utopia on the ABC featured the Intergenerational Report, which projects an eventual reduction in the workforce participation rate due to an ageing population. At the moment, however, Australia’s participation rate is actually … Continue reading →

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