The Productivity Commission is the Australian government's independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues
July 2024
Inequality reporting
How much of a ‘fair go’ do Australians really have to escape poverty?
The Productivity Commission’s economic mobility report finds younger generations’ incomes may be going backwards and getting sick is bad for your wallet
May 2024
Grogonomics
Raising jobseeker is not ‘fiscally sustainable’? Sorry, but that is flat out wrong
Greg Jericho
Never fall for the line that lifting people out of poverty and reducing inequality is a task too complex or costly to undertake
Inequality reporting
Disposable income soared for richest Australians after pandemic began but went backwards for the rest, report says
Income inequality in ‘unprecedented fall’ thanks to jobkeeper, then ballooned again in 2021, the Productivity Commission says
The rural network
Queensland officially drought-free for first time since 2013
Shires in state’s west the last to have drought declarations revoked after heavy rain earlier this year
February 2024
Australian workers’ productivity drops 3.7% as employment surges and investment slows
Wage growth from higher employment and hours worked without output gains could fan inflation, Productivity Commission warns
November 2023
Inequality reporting
Australian government urged to guarantee three days of childcare a week for all children under five
Productivity Commission report requested by Labor calls for a universal system of childcare, regardless of family’s income
September 2023
Integrity expert says officials should turn down Qantas Chairman’s Lounge memberships
Danielle Wood to become first woman to head Productivity Commission
July 2023
Productivity Commission appoints Chris Barrett as new chief, treasurer Jim Chalmers confirms
Chalmers announces Barrett, deputy secretary of Victoria’s treasury and finance department, will begin his five-year appointment from September
March 2023
Grogonomics
Productivity is all well and good, but what’s in it for Australia’s workers?
Greg Jericho
Economists too often use the word as a synonym for company profits. Why make more with less if it doesn’t improve living standards?
Upskilling workers and slashing tariffs: key takeaways from the Productivity Commission report
Five-yearly report devotes section to threat of climate crisis and suggests five ‘reform pillars’ to boost sluggish productivity growth
Workers face longer hours for less pay without productivity boost, Jim Chalmers says
Treasurer says Australia must improve service delivery in the care sector to offset ‘woeful’ economic indicators
October 2022
Australia failing to make progress on literacy and numeracy despite investment, reports finds
Productivity commission says education sector must make improvements to meet future skills needs
August 2022
Environmental and Covid challenges threaten Australia’s productivity rate after slowest growth in 60 years
Country generates seven times more output than in 1900, review finds, but remains ‘highly exposed’ to threats of climate change
December 2021
Booming house prices driving massive increase in size of inheritances to $120bn a year
Report finds that despite helping the rich Australians get richer, inheritances are also shrinking relative inequality by giving a boost to poorer households
September 2021
Grogonomics graph of the week
Australians are working from home much more because of the pandemic – and it sucks
Greg Jericho
A Productivity Commission report reveals the major changes in work habits since Covid arrived, including longer days
August 2021
Choice calls for star rating at point of sale so buyers know how long products will last
Australian consumers say they want durability ratings for white goods and electronics
July 2021
Tell us your experiences with trying to get broken phones, laptops and other devices fixed in Australia
A right-to-repair inquiry is examining the difficulties consumers and independent repairers often encounter
June 2021
Right to repair: it should be easier for Australians to get phones and devices fixed, review says
The Productivity Commission recommends changes including allowing consumers to make ‘super complaints’ to the watchdog
March 2021
Right to repair: what can you do if your mobile phone breaks?
Check the manufacturer’s fine print and the Australian rules – repairability will depend on type of phone and how it’s broken
