Australia is facing new challenges and opportunities within the shifting patterns of international trade and the security of its commercial foothold and viability both locally and globally.
Superannuation Guarantee Increases will Strain Australia’s Economy
Criticism has erupted over suggestions by Labor that the planned increases in employer superannuation contributions from the current 9.5% to a targeted 12% by July 2025 should be accelerated.
Short Term Incentive Risk Aversion in Boards
Boards, shareholders and proxy advisers are increasingly engaged in oversighting any company activity which fails to account for its exposure to risk, including short term incentive plans.
Equal Pay for work of Equal Value
Given the considerable discussion and public comment in relation to the equality of pay, there is merit in addressing the challenge faced by employers in endeavouring to be fair in rewarding their workforce.
Australia’s Minimum Wage in a Global Setting
A recent perspective offered by Bill Shorten, the leader of the Federal Opposition, has outlined an approach which Labor would consider supporting to improve the rewards available to those on the national minimum wage.
Wage Growth in the Current Economic Setting
Over the past quarter there has been considerable comment on modest wages growth across Australia.
Unemployment and Employability
Year on year unemployment has declined from 5.9% to 5.4% with employment growth exceeding 380,000 over the last twelve months.
Job Descriptions – The Million Dollar Document
The for-and-against arguments for job descriptions come in and out like the tide.
Productivity and Progress in Australia – Setting the Scene
Considerable comment has been made in recent months regarding low wages growth in Australia and the comparative wage setting in many industry sectors and occupations compared to wages in other parts of the world.
Call for IR Reform
Former Resources Minister and former Australian Council of Trade Unions President, Martin Ferguson, is pushing for a new round of Industrial Relations (IR) reform. The demand is for the right of workers to opt out of collective agreements and move to individual agreements. Further, the call is for restrictions on legal strikes, and a higher bar to prove unlawful employer actions.