The regulatory system should ensure that new regulation and the existing 'stock' are appropriate, effective and efficient. This requires the robust vetting of proposed regulation; 'fine tuning' of existing regulations and selecting key areas for reform. There is a range of approaches to reviewing existing regulation and identifying necessary reforms. Some are more 'routine', making...

According to this report, regulatory reforms are needed for the Australian retail industry to adapt successfully to the more globally competitive market in which it now operates. There are almost 140 000 retail businesses in Australia, accounting for 4.1 per cent of GDP and 10.7 per cent of employment. The retail industry exhibits great diversity...

Key points: This paper uses data from the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) to model the links between various personal characteristics and activities, and four Indigenous labour market outcomes. As causality may run in either direction, results are interpreted as associations. Results typically differ between men and women, in part...

Agreed government reforms will require early childhood education and care providers to employ a substantially larger and more highly qualified workforce, according to a report released by the Productivity Commission. The report - Early Childhood Development Workforce - finds that many more workers will be required in preschool and long day care. Full implementation of...

The Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to identify regulatory and policy barriers to effective Climate Change adaptation, and to identify high priority reform options to address any identified barriers. The Commission is also required to report on: policy frameworks required to facilitate effective adaptation to climate change the costs and benefits of identified...