A defining feature of the COVID-19 crisis is the uncertainty it’s created. The uncertainty could be very costly for the Australian economy, and will weigh on the economic recovery in Australia until we’re certain we’ve got the virus under control.
read more Tracking economic uncertainty in the age of COVID-19
The March labour force data will report on a jobs market that sadly no longer exists – the Australia before widespread spatial distancing and shutdowns of non-essential businesses.
Consumer confidence is a timely measure of what Australian households think about their own finances and the state of the economy overall. In the week ending 29 March, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index plunged to the lowest level in the nearly-50-year history of that series.
read more Consumer confidence is at its lowest level on record
Workers affected by the COVID-19 economic crisis can now access up to $20,000 of their super to help see them through. It’s a good move.
read more COVID-19: Giving people early access to their super is the right move
It’s clear than many Australian households will need help if they loose their livelihoods through the COVID-19 crisis. They should be a high priority for the Morrison Government as it puts together its second economic support package.
read more As the COVID-19 crisis deepens, few Australians have much cash in the bank
Over a third of Australian workers don’t have paid sick leave. They’re in a vulnerable position.
read more COVID-19: Our most vulnerable workers need more help
Our new paper finds that when super goes up, wages grow more slowly. This has sparked a lively debate – and the need to correct some myths and misconceptions about our work.
A recent OECD report claims Australia’s superannuation system has some of the lowest fees of any pension system in the world. But the report is based on flawed data that misses much of the story.
read more The curious case of the missing superannuation fees
Looser macro-prudential rules, rather than the federal election result, appear to be driving a rebound in house prices in Sydney and Melbourne.
read more What’s driving the rebound in house prices since the election?
A recent McKell Institute report makes unsupportable claims about how superannuation interacts with wages to justify higher compulsory super contributions. McKell’s analysis doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Here’s why.
read more McKell makes unsupportable claims about superannuation and wages
