Productivity

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Employees covered under EBAs are lucky enough to get a guaranteed annual wage increase. Just don’t call it a ‘pay rise’.

Another great Australian dream goes by the wayside

We’re still a long, long way from enjoying the 15-hour working week predicted in the 1930s.

  • Victoria Devine

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Danielle Wood, CBA CEO Matt Comyn and ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb at the economic roundtable on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Up to $60k a day each: The cost of inviting execs to sit at Chalmers’ roundtable

Many of the people at the treasurer’s economic roundtable are earning six or seven figures, but there’s one whose single-day appearance is worth more than $60,000.

  • Millie Muroi
Jim Chalmers with Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Treasury secretary Jenny Wilkinson and Productivity Commission member Angela Jackson, talks to the roundtable.

We can’t wait another 25 years for results, Mr Treasurer

At least there was no one with a guitar leading the room in Kumbaya. The success of the economic roundtable will be grounded in results.

  • Shane Wright
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Treasury secretary Jenny Wilkinson at the economic roundtable on Tuesday.

Push to recognise overseas qualifications before unions and business clash on tax

As the federal government’s roundtable kicked off with broad agreement to tackle skills and tariffs, a former RBA governor launched an attack on Labor’s economic management.

  • Paul Sakkal and Shane Wright
Coffee was about the only source of calories driving the first day of the economic roundtable.

No phones, no handlers, no nice snacks: day one in Chalmers’ VIP lock-up

Meetings in federal parliament are normally like a buffet of sweet and savoury. But the catering staff are clearly taking to heart the issues central to Anthony Albanese’s economic roundtable.

  • Shane Wright
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will lead a three-day economic reform roundtable from Tuesday.

What we know so far about plans to make Australia richer, happier and more productive

Three days, 900 submissions and a few dozen attendees. Here’s what we can expect from the economic reform roundtable this week.

  • Millie Muroi
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CBA chief Maat Comyn, Business Council of Australia chief Bran Black, productivity commissioner Danielle Wood and ACTU secretary Sally McManus will all attend Jim Chalmers’ roundtable.

Australians want Albanese to act now to fix the economy – but want one tax left alone

The prime minister vows not to spring new tax reform ideas on voters, but Jim Chalmers insists there are opportunities for quick fixes – and many Australians don’t want to wait.

  • Shane Wright and Paul Sakkal
Innovation is treated as a hopeful byproduct of policy rather than a foundation that needs fostering.

Hesitation nation: We have it in us, so let’s unleash Australian innovation

Australians love to cut down a “tall poppy”. But these types of beliefs are holding back Australian innovation.

  • Tessa Forshaw
RBA gorvernor Michele Bullock has noted there’s nothing the central bank can do about productivity.

Want better productivity? Keep wages rising strongly

When you tolerate businesses fattening their profits by finding ways to keep their wage bill down, you’re helping them cut their own throats.

  • Ross Gittins
A nation of “regulatory hairballs”: Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood will argue it’s time to cure the nation’s addiction to red tape.

Australia needs to cough up its ‘regulatory hairballs’, declares PC boss

For the next three days, leaders will look at ways to lift living standards. The Productivity Commission says they should start with one area of reform.

  • Shane Wright