A report on Australia’s standard of living has found that low real wages, underfunded public services and soaring prices have left many families experiencing hardship and hopelessness. The report documents the origins of the current crisis in living standards and presents a multidimensional progressive policy agenda for the Australian Government.

An analysis of the Commonwealth Government’s 2025-26 budget that focuses on the aspects targeting and impacting on workers, working lives and labour markets. The paper finds the budget is characterised by the absence of any significant initiatives, although the surprise tax cuts are welcome.

This paper examines the make-up of the Australian Public Service (APS) and considers recent efforts to improve APS service delivery. It concludes that recent investment in the employment of more APS employees has improved service delivery outcomes and that any reduction will reduce service delivery or result in the engagement of more consultants and contractors.

A survey of Australian adults regarding their experience of the cost of living crisis shows that the decline in living standards and the corresponding growth of poverty and inequality is a core concern for many Australians. Respondents call for a multi-dimensional approach to reduce the cost of living as well as increase wages and income...

Organisations in Australia are using blood analysis as a means of screening future employees for ‘health risks’ that they allege may impact on their performance of work. This report examines the need for new provisions within either or both privacy or workplace relations laws that set out the rights of workers to protect their sensitive...