Australia's peak body for social services has released its employment election policy priorities, designed to foster full employment, reduce long-term unemployment, and support an effective employment services system.

This plan, aimed at creating a more resilient Australia, proposes measures to reform infrastructure planning, regional planning, higher education and vocational training, enterprise bargaining, income taxes, electricity policy, and more.

In the lead up to the 2019 state election, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has taken credit for the state's solid employment figures, arguing that Labor would take the state backwards and claiming that unemployment was much higher 10 years ago.

Australia’s youth unemployment rate is stagnating at the levels seen in the early 2000s, despite 28 years of economic growth. This analysis from the Brotherhood of St Laurence maps the 20 worst “hotspot” regions for youth unemployment, and confirms many regional and outer suburban areas bear the heaviest burden.

This article argues that while the current NZ tax/benefit system represents a ‘welfare mess’, and needs substantial restructuring, a UBI does not necessarily provide an adequate income for poverty relief, nor ensure labour force incentives, at an acceptable fiscal cost.