The paradigm shift in Australian labour market policy: Balancing efficiency with equity

The paradigm shift in Australian labour market policy: Balancing efficiency with equity

Australia’s labour market reforms since the 1990s were aimed at prioritising business ‘efficiency’ over other policy goals. Governments gave employers increased discretion over workforce decisions relating to pay-setting, recruitment and training, and reduced the influence of trade unions and employment tribunals over these processes. These changes were seen as necessary to allow employers to adjust to an increasingly competitive business environment following the liberal economic reforms of the 1980s. In this context, this presentation will analyse the paradigm shift in Australian labour market policy since 2022 aimed at balancing business ‘efficiency’ with workforce ‘equity’. Through an analysis of changes to wage-setting and bargaining, workplace gender equality and skilled immigration, it will argue the post-1990s wave of efficiency-oriented policies produced not only ‘inequities’ including low wage growth, gender-based job undervaluation and underpayment, but also ‘inefficiencies’ including skills shortages and competitive disadvantages for compliant employers. As well as analysing the post-2022 changes, the presentation will consider possible future labour market reform options.

This event is a hybrid event and can be attended in-person or virtually.

About the Speaker

Chris F Wright is Professor of Work and Labour Market Policy at the University of Sydney Business School. His research examines the regulation of work, employment relationships and labour migration in low-wage sectors. He has published widely across these areas, including most recently Work and Industrial Relations Policy in Australia with Bradon Ellem, Stephen Clibborn, Rae Cooper, Frances Flanagan and Alex Veen (Bristol University Press, 2025).

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