This speech focuses on the importance of evidence-informed policymaking, which enhances the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of public interventions. It argues that in a complex policy environment, a focus on evidence can provide a constructive path forward in policy disagreements and help build trust in government decisions.

Using census data, the authors find that the participation rates of both men and women with low educational attainment rose substantially between 2001 and 2006. However, the participation rates of people with no post-school qualifications remain significantly below those with post-school qualifications (around 10 percentage points for both men and women). Within the no post-school...

In recent years, employment has grown strongly while output has grown modestly. This implies a weak growth in labour productivity that is difficult to interpret. This article explores some possible explanations for recent economic growth and labour productivity outcomes, with a focus on developments in the composition of growth. It also examines whether recent productivity...

Over the past five years, the labour force participation rate of older Australian men has risen after declining for over 25 years. In combination with ongoing increases in older women’s participation, the participation rate of older persons is now at its highest level on record. This article describes some of the trends and discusses some...

The use of self assessed health status as a measure of health is common in empirical research. Thomas F Crossley and Steven Kennedy analyse a unique Australian survey in which a significant number of respondents changed their assessment of health status after being administered an additional set of health-related questions.