Read the new commentary by Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow Prof. David Peetz and Dr Lisa Heap in The Conversation.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are again in the spotlight – mostly because of how they can affect the way companies deal with sexual harassment allegations.

Last week, class action lawsuits were launched against mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto, alleging widespread and systemic sexual harassment on their worksites in Australia.

The law firm leading the class actions, JGA Saddler, alleges NDAs have been used routinely in the mining industry to prevent women from speaking out about sexual harassment.

In response, both BHP and Rio Tinto have stated they take all sexual harassment allegations seriously. Both companies also say they no longer use NDAs when dealing with sexual harassment allegations, and won’t enforce past confidentiality terms.

A push to restrict NDAs across the business world is gaining momentum. The Victorian government is currently considering legislation to limit their use.

The effectiveness of any changes will depend on how much they put victim-survivors in the driver’s seat about when – and how – NDAs can be used.

Australian workers are doing it tough. Costs are increasing faster than wages and incomes. Those with less are doing it the toughest.

The Carmichael Centre has prepared this video spotlighting the personal stories of workers navigating the cost of living crisis in Australia.

Read the report Doing it Tough: How Australians are experiencing the cost of living crisis.

On October 25, the Carmichael Centre and the Centre for Future Work hosted a symposium on the living standards and cost of living challenges in Australian themed 'Big Problems Can be Solved: Protecting Living Standards through Investment & Inclusion (not Austerity & Division)'.

Australia’s productivity growth has reverted to the same stagnant pattern as before the pandemic, according to the Productivity Commission’s latest quarterly report.

Productivity is complex and often misunderstood in media and policy debates. So before we read too much into this latest data, here are six key things to understand about productivity.

The Carmichael Centre's Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow Emeritus Professor David Peetz and researcher Charlie Joyce spoke recently at the 2024 National Manufacturing Summit in Brisbane on July 31.

Joyce and Peetz argued that with the global energy transition storming ahead - and driving an international boom in clean technology manufacturing - it is more important than ever that Australia act to reposition and restructure our economy to take full advantage of the industrial opportunities of the renewable energy revolution. 

The Albanese Government’s industrial policy framework – the Future Made in Australia Act (FMAA) – has finally been unveiled. A centrepiece of the 2024 budget, the FMAA seeks to realise the Labor government’s aspirations of making Australia a ‘renewable energy superpower’. It is expected to be a key pillar of their re-election strategy. The FMAA and its context must be understood by progressive campaigners to ensure it genuinely advances industrial development, decarbonisation, and the interests of workers.

On 1 July, an important change in the industrial relations landscape came into force. Industrial awards (‘modern awards’, as they’re now called), that set minimum standards in workplaces, will include guarantees of rights for workplace union delegates. All new enterprise agreements must also include such provisions.

This is a result of the first part of the Closing Loopholes Act. Part 1 passed the Parliament in December last year.

Three big things have happened with the passage of the second half of the ‘Closing Loopholes’ Bill through Federal Parliament on Monday.

One is world leading, one is not far from it, and one is playing catch up with the rest of the world. A fourth big thing happened a couple of months ago, with passage of the first half of the Bill.

Self-employment has changed in recent years. It’s been both shrinking and becoming more precarious. Proportionately, there are fewer business owners and there’s more gig work.

The reality is getting further away from what many have imagined.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently announced that the federal government’s much-anticipated package of climate industry policies will be delayed by at least another six months.

He cited concerns over skills shortages and environmental approval wait times before moving ahead with new measures to stimulate renewable energy and related industries in Australia.

The concerns raised by Mr Chalmers are real, and need attention. But the industrial opportunities of the net zero transition will not remain forever. Australia can’t wait for the perfect moment before responding to the rapidly changing global industry conditions – and in particular Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.