This interim report supports the National Competition Policy process by analysing the economic effects of two policy reforms: occupational licensing reform to promote labour mobility and adopting international and overseas standards. These two reforms would promote competition and increase Australia’s gross domestic product.

Increasing tension and uncertainty in the strategic environment and the changing nature of alliances and global conflict has triggered a rapid and significant increase in national defence spending worldwide. This paper outlines global defence spending and Australia’s defence spending. Despite a dire strategic outlook, there appears to be little public appetite for greater defence spending.

This report provides a macroeconomic assessment for OECD countries. It notes that global economic prospects are weakening, with the slowdown expected to be most concentrated in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. For Australia, the report predicts a return to modest growth in 2025-26 but identifies several fiscal and policy actions needed to address...

The report assesses the global economic situation finding it remains resilient despite recent shocks such as the pandemic and energy crisis. The report recommends policymakers consolidate public finances, continue monetary policy easing, and address structural labour shortages to support economic growth and living standards.

This report finds that rooftop solar, electrification and thermal efficiency upgrades for 1.2 million homes over seven years would generate construction, indirect employment and household bill savings of up to $17 billion in gross domestic product over the lives of the upgrades.