O75 Public Administration

WFH curbs for public servants

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Original article by Tom Burton
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 9 : 8-Mar-24

Employees of more than 70 federal government agencies have now endorsed a sector-wide enterprise agreement that removes all caps on the number of days they can work from home. However, Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman has emphasised that government employees will still require approval from their agency to work from home, and notes that some frontline public sector jobs simply cannot be done remotely. The new enterprise agreement also includes a pay rise of 11.2 per cent over three years and better parental leave entitlements.

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States sign up for new competition agenda to lift wages

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Original article by Shane Wright
The Age – Page: Online : 8-Mar-24

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has hosted a meeting of federal, state and territory governments that has been as acting as a possible starting point for new competition reforms that will in turn lead to higher wages. Many economists believe that the recent decline in global and Australian productivity is partly due to a lack of competitive pressures, which force companies to look at new ways to lift output or better utilise their staff. One issue that the meeting looked at was the growing use of non-compete and no-poach clauses in workplace contracts or agreements, with recently released research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics finding that 47 per cent of businesses imposed at least one form of restraint clause on their workers.

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AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS

Tax take and spending near record highs

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Original article by Michael Read
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 6 : 8-Mar-24

Analysis of the latest national accounts data shows that federal, state and local government spending equated to 27.2 per cent of GDP in 2023, which is nearly a record high. Tax revenue across all three levels of government was also a near-record high of 30.3 per cent of GDP. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has indicated that his primary focus will shift from containing inflation to stimulating the economy. However, he has ruled out a big increase in government spending, while economists contend that reducing debt should be the federal government’s priority.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

‘Murderous rampage’: Malaysian PM attacks Western leaders over hypocrisy on Israel, Ukraine

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Original article by Matthew Knott
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: Online : 8-Mar-24

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has used a speech to the Australian National University to accuse Western nations of selectively applying international law. He said that they have been happy to condemn Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, but have been equally happy to remain silent over the ongoing bloodletting "of innocent men, women and children of Gaza; he also claimed that much of the West has been happy to allow the "Israeli occupation forces" carte blanche in the murderous rampage on the Palestinians" for more than 60 years.

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Unions want right to approach non-members at work in bid to bolster numbers

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Original article by Angus Thompson
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: Online : 6-Mar-24

The first tranche of the federal government’s Closing Loopholes legislation included the right for unions to appoint delegates in workplaces, and for that delegate to act on behalf of employees who are eligible to join the union. The ACTU wants the Fair Work Commission to insert a clause in all industry awards that includes a right for delegates to communicate with workers about joining the union. Jessica Tinsley from the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry says the legislation restricts delegates to engaging in "reasonable communication" with employees about their industrial interests; she contends that this should not apply to communications that are solely about joining the union.

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ACTU, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Labor’s housing plan panned as a trivial side issue

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Original article by Tom McIlroy
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 6-Mar-24

The Centre for Independent Studies’ chief economist Peter Tulip appeared before a Senate committee on Tuesday. He expressed support for the federal government’s target of building 1.2 million homes in five years. However, Tulip contended that the government’s Help to Buy shared equity scheme is a "trivial distraction" from real solutions to address the housing affordability crisis; he warned that the scheme will only benefit 40,000 home buyers, while increasing house prices and rents for all Australians. The Coalition opposes the scheme, while the Greens are demanding a number of concessions to gain their support.

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THE CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT STUDIES LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN GREENS

Ex-PwC chief wants tax leak report released

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Original article by Edmund Tadros
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 6-Mar-24

Law firm Linklaters’ report on the tax leaks scandal at PwC Australia was released in 2023, but the professional services firm’s global parent has refused to provide a copy of the report to Australian authorities. PwC International has to date only published a one-page statement which summarises the findings of the report. Kristin Stubbins, who became acting CEO of PwC Australia in the wake of the scandal, appeared before a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday. Stubbins said she had expected a "more comprehensive release" of the report.

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PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AUSTRALIA (INTERNATIONAL) PTY LTD, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence down 2.2pts to 81.0 in early March – lowest since early December 2023

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Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 6-Mar-24

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence fell 2.2pts to 81.0 in the week to 3 March, the lowest the indicator has been all year; it has now spent a record 57 straight weeks below the mark of 85. Consumer Confidence is now 1.1 points above the same week a year ago (79.9), but 2.3 points below the 2024 weekly average of 83.3. Consumer Confidence was virtually unchanged in the largest states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, and down in WA and SA. Now 19% of Australians (down 1ppt) say their families are ‘better off’ financially than this time last year, while 55% (up 2ppts) say their families are ‘worse off’. Looking forward, 33% (unchanged) of Australians expect their family to be ‘better off’ financially this time next year, while 34% (up 2ppts) expect to be ‘worse off’. Now 11% (up 1ppt) of Australians now expect ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next 12 months, while 32% (up 3ppts) expect ‘bad times’. Meanwhile, 21% (up 1ppt) of Australians say now is a ‘good time to buy’ major household items, while 50% (up 2ppts) say now is a ‘bad time to buy’.

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ROY MORGAN LIMITED, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ

Singapore backs AUKUS subs

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Original article by Andrew Tillett, Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 6-Mar-24

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will use a speech on Wednesday to emphasise that Australia’s destiny lies in the Asia-Pacific region. He will also tell ASEAN leaders that Australia is committed to working with them to ensure that the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality and independence are upheld. Albanese held meetings with the leaders of Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Timor Leste on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Melbourne on Tuesday. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Albanese that Australia’s future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines will be welcome to visit the Changi naval base. He also urged China to drop its remaining trade sanctions against Australia.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH-EAST ASIAN NATIONS, SINGAPORE. PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

Imports fall as households cut back

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Original article by Michael Read
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 6-Mar-24

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the nation’s current account surplus rose to $11.8bn in the December quarter, compared with just $1.3bn in the three months to September. Import volumes fell by 2.8 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms in the December quarter, with import volumes of consumer goods down 5.4 per cent. Export volumes were down 0.4 per cent, although higher iron ore and coal prices boosted overall export prices by 3.1 per cent. Meanwhile, economists expect the national accounts data to be released on Wednesday will show that GDP growth was 0.2 per cent in the December quarter.

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AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS