This report compiles recommendations from McKell Institute’s May 26 ‘Reopening NSW’ Digital Roundtable, which were sourced from 14 participants representing a range of industries and organisations reflective of the diversity of the NSW economy.

This paper examines the differential experiences of men and women during the dramatic changes to the labour market caused by the health response to COVID-19 and evaluates the likely impact of stimulating different industries on men and women.

This paper argues that Australia's fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic leaves an economically threatening legacy of high budget deficits and public debt.

This paper makes the case that future tranches of fiscal stimulus should target frontline Australian workers, especially those in retail, health services, public transport and cleaning. Not only is it a way of paying gratitude to their service during an unprecedented crisis, but also as a productive form of economic stimulus.

The findings of the report can be used to measure the cost to labour productivity and living standards from the COVID-19 de-globalisation shock, as well as the costs and benefits of post-pandemic policy responses aimed at either decreasing or increasing international connectedness.