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    Economic Notes

    Topic 4: Economic Objectives and PoliciesMacroeconomic Policy

    The recent GFC foregrounded a reordering of Australias economic priorities Currently, the Principe concern for the Australian economy is high levels of

    economic growth, with low unemployment (which is a derived demand)

    The aim for economic growth is 2-3% p.a. over the full business cycle, whilstthe desired position of unemployment is full employment

    within the current economic conditions, GDP has recorded 2.7% , whilstunemployment measures 5.3%

    The remaining economic objectives are somewhat lesser, however, with themost recent IR rise; the Reserve bank has clearly raised concern of potentialfuture inflation, (aim 2-3% over the course of the business cycle), whichcurrently measures 2.9% yet has the potential to increase

    Also, residual concern lays upon the environment (ESD), income distribution(equitable) and the current account

    Monetary Policy Definition

    Monetary policy refers to the manipulation of interest rates to

    influence the level of economic activity 2-3% inflation full employment growth between 2-3%

    Historic Inflationary Targeting saw interest rates rise to 7.25% in

    March 2008 However, priorities have been redirected towards growth and

    unemployment with their fall to 3.0% in April 2009

    However have raised to 4.50% in May 2010

    Domestic market Operations Are conducted between the RBA and financial institutions and banks

    in the Short Term Money Market The short term money market fives financial institutions access to

    deposit and lending facilities to settle debt between themselves throughtheir exchange settlement account

    The cash rate is the price of borrowing from the STMM

    To increase the cash rate (tighten monetary policy), sells commonwealth governmentsecurities to the banks this decreases liquidity (availability of funds)

    To decrease the cash rate (loose) it purchases CGS to increase liquidity and decreasecompetition for cash and therefore decrease the cash rate

    Cash rate movements are passed on in a competitive banking

    environment in order to ensure products and due t their competitivenature

    Keynesian Transmission Mechanism Consideration should first go towards the RBAs contractionary policy. They

    Keynesian Transmission mechanism diagram is an economic theory used toexplain how monetary policy affects the economy

    See diagram next page

    In the case of contractionary monetary policy, the following impacts apply

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    If the RBA uses DMO to sell back T notes(S to S1), it decreases liquidity inthe official cash market (shift from r to r1), causing short term yields andinterest rates to increase (R to R1) due to the competitive banking structures

    As interest rates increase the marginal efficiency of capital (determined by the

    rate of profits compared with interest rates) increases causing a decrease inautonomous investment from I to I1

    There is a certain quantity of investment for which it is no longer

    profitable, due to increased interest rates

    As demonstrated by panel 2, the increase in investment shifts AD from Ad1 toAd2. As autonomous investment decreases, the level of national income andemployment decreases via the multiplier effect

    The RBA can use monetary policy to bring about price stability,

    through reducing the inflationary gap Expansionary policy can reduce unemployment, through increasing

    aggregate demand, which increases the demand for resources includinglabour

    Contractionary policy can decrease output due to increased production

    costs and decreased future sales

    Recently, the RBA has increased the cash rate from 3-4.5% between October2009 and May 2010

    Concerned with external inflationary pressures, and that Australia hadremained resistive to the GFC (lower unemployment than expected, positivegrowth), the RBA pre empted future inflation

    Exchange rate (not related to diagram) Changes in domestic interest rates affect the exchange rate

    An increase in Australian interest rates relative to overseas will attract

    an inflow of foreign capital, increasing demand for $A and causing anappreciation of its value

    This reduces the competitiveness of export firms and of import

    competing firms resulting in a decrease in output An increase in interest rates also decrease consumption and imports,

    which decreases the supply of $A increasing $A

    Limitations Interest rates cannot target specific parts of the economy

    A blunt instrument since an increase in interest rates affects all

    sectors of the economy irrespective of other government policies Can adversely affect all types of spending, even if the problem is

    excessive spending in only one area, such as housing

    Interest rates cannot deal with cost-push inflation Monetary policy can influence demand-pull inflation, inflationary

    expectations and imported inflation, but is not good at dealing withcost push inflation

    Higher interest rate = higher repayments higher costs = higherinflation

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    Investment is based upon other factors Stock levels, excess capacity, sentiment, future expectations

    The transmission from the cash rate to interest rates

    Increase in cash rate by 0.25% saw Westpac increase I.R by 0.4% dueto overseas costs

    The main advantage is the relatively short time lag Normally takes 6-9 months for an interest rate increase to affect

    aggregate demand and the level of national income, whereas fiscalpolicy can take 24months

    Fiscal Policy Fiscal policy refers to the use of the sixe and pattern of taxation and

    government spending A key component of the current policy mix is its extensive deficit in

    the fiscal balance Contractionary stance

    Increased budget surplus (T>G) or a decreased budgetdeficit

    Blanced Budget Occurs when G =T

    Exanisiornary Stance Increased Budget deficit (G > T) or a decreased budget

    surplus Fiscal policy can be broken down into two key components structural

    and cyclicalExpenditureAD1 = C + I + G1 + X-MAS

    AD = C + I + G + X-M

    Expansionary

    AD2 = C + I + G2 + X - M

    Contractionary

    Income

    The effect of budget stimulus can be seen in the above figure A budget deficit leads to an increase in aggregate demand from AD to AD1 This leads to increasing demand for resources and income via the multiplier

    effect until a new equilibrium is achieved at a higher level of national income,which indicates growth

    An increase in NY sees and increase in investment in new productive capacityand therefore an increase in output

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    All the while, the injection attempted to improve confidence which sought toenhance the multiplier

    1. Structural component refers to the deliberate changes in government spendingor taxation (discretionary policy)

    Budget has two objectives Macro (medium term) to bring about a change in the level of aggregate demand in

    the economy Through the multiplier change economic growth and employment Micro (long term) to bring about a structural adjustment, through a relocation of

    land, labour, capital and enterprise to increase efficiency and productivity Structural change, changes income distribution For instance the 2010-11 budget, the government has increased funding on

    infrastructure by $5.6 billion. As well as $2.2 billion for a national health care system

    as well as $653 million in a renewable energy future fund.

    2. Cyclical component This refers to the automatic stabilizers, which offset the extremes of the business

    cycle. Aim to stabilize the economy in order to remove the peaks and troughs of the business

    cycle. These include a progressive taxation system

    Greater proportion of incomes taxed in boom containing growth in aggregate demand Lower proportion of income taxed in a recession. Maintains aggregate demand to

    achieve activity and employment Transfer payments

    Increase when the rate of unemployment increases in a recession This increases GE which helps raise AD Automatic stabilizers are counter cyclical, that is, they operate to reduce or cap the

    peaks of economic activity. Therefore, reducing inflationary pressuresRate of economic growth

    For instance when economic growth declines, the demand for labour decreases

    leading to falling wages and greater unemployment levels. The provisions of a socialsecurity payment act to ensure that these people can maintain a minimal level ofconsumptions.

    The effect of the automatic stabiliser

    When considering these conditions, the 2009-10 budget saw $57.6 billion deficitwhich included $338.3 billion of expenditure. However, following the twin deficittheory, such has aided in crowding out private sector debt and adding to the Cad.

    The priorities of fiscal policy have changed over time. Between 1998 and 2008, the primary objective was external stability (reducing

    deficits) as the private sector was taking care of growth and employment This dramatically changed with the onset of the GFC. Economic growth, was sought

    through automatic stabilizers and discretionary demandBudget Policy and effects

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    Resource Allocation: The budget offers growth through supply side management

    The budget uses taxation and government expenditure to send price

    signals and allocate resources to ill-resources sectors of the economy $ 5.6 billion in a new infrastructure find allocates resources to roads, rails, ports etc.

    Investment in new productive capacity attempts to overcome structural constraints togrowth. Highlighted by the constrained ability to export coal to China. Framework forlong term growth

    $4.5 billion clean energy, which stresses solar cells has allocated income andresources to sustainable power source

    Inflation: Demand pull inflation

    Aggregate demand chases aggregate supply as the sale of resources goods andservices are auctioned upwards

    Income Distribution: Income reallocated towards low income earners who spend a greater

    proportion of their income Pensions Carers payments

    Unemployment: The budget has also stressed structural, frictional and cyclical

    unemployment Cyclical:

    Employment is a derived demand Structural (skills shortage): Training 18,000 nurses (2009 2013) Apprenticeship subsidies in over 500 occupations

    Frictional Programs such as the $4.9 billion Job services

    Australia, seeks to better connect job seekers withopportunities e.g. writing resumes

    Also attempted to remove waiting periods Throughout the GFC, unemployment peaked at 5.8%, which is much

    lower than the previously predicted 10%p.a it is currently at 5.4%.

    However, reduced full employment was offset by increasing part time

    Environmental Sustainability: $4.5 billion clean energy find, which stresses solar cells, has

    reallocated income and resources to a sustainable power source

    Current Account Deficit: Increase in Public sector debt through the crowding out effect of

    Australian savings CAD has deteriorated from a low of 3.4% to 4.9% in March 2010

    Funding a deficit Deficit financing

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    Borrowing funds from the private sector by selling new

    commonwealth government securities in domestic financial markets Deficit financing is undertaken by the federal government selling

    treasury bonds Advantages

    No change in money supply No increase in the new foreign debt as the government has not borrowed overseas to

    fund the budget deficit Disadvantages

    May cause a rise in interest rates and crowding out of private investment Higher interest rates may increase capital inflow, raising the exchange rate, which

    reduces the international competitiveness of Australian export and import substitutes Leads to the accumulation of national debt by government and sets up future

    obligations in the form of public debt interest

    Monetary financing (Also known as printing money)

    it can borrow from the RBA by instructing the RBA to simply print

    money to cover the shortfall in budget revenue Advantage

    No change in interest rates and no accumulation of public debt Disadvantage

    An increase in the money supply and a danger of rising inflation if the economy is atfull employment

    Borrowing from overseas

    It can borrow funds in overseas financial markets by getting the RBAto sell new government securities in return for foreign currencies Advantage

    No increase in domestic interest rates Disadvantage

    The government accumulates foreign debt and this adds to the size of the CADMicroeconomic Policy

    Microeconomic policy is supply side management which aims to maximizethe allocation of resources between firms and industries in order to maximisethe output of scarce resources

    The underlying motivator of microeconomic policy is structural

    change: changes in the economys patterns of production over time, asevidence by the reallocation of land, labour, capital and enterprise.

    Microeconomic policy accelerates structural change through sending pricesignals to enterprise which in turn reallocates resources and income to achievetechnical, allocative and dynamic efficiency, which subsequently achieves thesix economic objectives

    Long term aim to trigger a reallocation of resources and structural changeStructural change: a change in the resource reallocation and patterns of

    production in an economy over time caused by changing technology, governmentpolice, the price mechanism, competition and globalization Microeconomic policy is required due to the inadequacies of macro policy.

    The stimulation of AD is infallible in raising resource consumptionand promoting growth,

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    However, as evidence by the short run Philips curve, there is a trade

    off between inflation and unemployment. Also, macro-policy cannotaddress structural problems.

    For instance in Australia, patterns of production were built behind protection, whichin no way promoted comparative advantage and blocked any attempt to yield the

    fruits of globalization Supply side economics can reduce NAIRU, improve international

    competitiveness and manage inflation

    Industry Sector % ofgrossdomestic

    product(GDP)

    % of TotalEmployment

    % ofExportsof goodsandservices

    1989 2008 1989 2008 1989 2008

    Agriculture 4.0 2.3 5.7 3.2 26.0 13.0

    Mining 4.4 7.6 1.3 1.2 40.0 50.0Manufacturing 15.4 9.7 16.1 9.8 14.0 15.0

    Services 76.2 80.3 76.9 85.5 20.0 22.0

    Three types of efficiencies Allocative efficiency:

    Patterns of production to maximize the overall utility and reduce opportunity costthrough a shift in the allocation of resources

    Technical efficiency:

    Firms producing at the lowest cost possible (technical optimum) Dynamic Efficiency:

    Ability to change from producing one product to another Requires that firms be innovative by introducing up-to-date technology and by

    responding to the changes in the needs of their customers.

    Product market: final goods and services are sold Factor market: productive inputs such as land, labour, capital and enterprise

    are sold.Role of microeconomic policy reformEconomic rationalism clearing obstacles and allowing market forces to induce

    structural change

    Increased competition Reducing the inefficiencies which result from distorted price signals

    Price signals causes increase in productivity

    Firms will need to be more innovative in the face of competition

    Improved productivity Assists in the international competitiveness of local firms from import

    competition Is more resistant to inflation

    Reduction in price distortions (created by the tax system and governmentsubsidies)

    In the past government business enterprises were sheltered from

    competition Meant that they had higher prices and a lack of competitiveness

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    Moving may business activities out of the public sector and into the private sector Less resistance to the market forces encouraging structural change

    Technological advances, changes in income or consumption patterns,

    increasing global specialization as well as resource discovery ordepletion can trigger changes in the output patterns in the Australian

    economyThe benefits and costs of microeconomic reform

    Benefits Productivity growth

    Increased national income, and improved living standards Increased productivity is often triggered by increased competition in the goods and

    factor markets Controlling inflation

    By promoting competition, firms are less able to increase prices and so will be lesswilling to grant excessive wage rises

    Allocative efficiency

    Competition makes firms more flexible and responsive to change in consumerdemand

    Costs Job losses

    Structural unemployment Lower wages

    Increased inequality in the distribution of income Labour market deregulation ay mean workers relying n safety net wage rises will fare

    worse than those able to negotiate enterprise agreementsUnilateral Tariff reform

    Tariff reductions: engaged by historic government 1975 Whitlam government: 25% across the board protection cuts

    Hawke Government industry statements (1988, 1991)

    By 2005, average maximum 5% excluding TCF, PMMV at 10%

    Premise: intense competition sent price signals to domestic industry

    Foreign resources and incomer are reallocated domestically To remain competitive firms must raise productivity to reduce costs Not always the case: in this way, resources are allocated towards their most efficient

    use as per the principles of comparative advantagAlso promotes economies of scale,innovation

    Long Term growth

    GDP (National Income)

    Benefits indicated in figure 1 Productivity gains shift aggregate supply to the right

    New equilibrium: reduction in inflationary pressures whilst retaining

    real GDP Low inflationary growth This causes a lower costs of production, expansion in output ad income Hence, there is higher GDP and employment without an increase in inflation This causes a shift in NAIRU to the left

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    Benefits are not purely domestic: international competitiveness raises

    exports CAD improvements

    However, structural unemployment

    Example smaller more productive industry PMV tariffs fell 40% -10% 1990-2005

    Entered niche large passenger vehicle market

    Resources allocated to competitive industry

    Economies of scale: per employee 12-18 cars per year between 1990-

    2005 Turnaround of $AU 224 million loss to $AU 372 million profit (export

    middle east) Reduced inflationary pressures International competitiveness and productivity gains create long term framework for

    growth Improve CAD through greater exports

    However structural unemployment misallocategovernment income

    Taxation reforms Goods and services tax, Decrease in the marginal tax rate and the streamlining of tax through pay as

    you go Decrease in company tax rates from 36% to 30%

    Raises incentives to work, save and invest

    Through making it more efficient and equitable it increasesproductivity, savings and investment.

    Competition Policy Competition policy is about bringing about workable competition that will

    produce the best structure, conduct and performance in an industry The ACCC seeks this workable competition

    The best level of competition in a market that maximizes consumer

    choice and utility and allow firms to ahcievea satisfactory level of

    economies of scale 9 Perfect competition is not always possible or desirable.

    Trade Practices Act 1974 Price collisions and fixing agreements are illegal

    Outlawed price discrimination

    Resale price maintenance

    Restricted mergers with or takeovers of rival firms

    Competition Policy reform act (1995) Outlawed anti competitive behaviour, collusion, exclusive dealings,

    price discrimination

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    Achieve maximum workable competition (perfect competition or

    monopoly) To remain competitive firms must raise productivity to reduce costs Resources are allocated towards their most efficient use as per the principles of

    comparative advantage

    Also promotes economies of scale, innovation Low inflationary growth

    Telstra: enforced through ACCC. Provided second part y access to

    Telstra infrastructure Raised competition sent price signals to Telstra to reduce cost structures, enhance

    productivity and achieve technical efficiency Price signals of profit potential further allocated resources into Services

    communication industry, reducing opportunity cost Competition Policy Act : Framework for long-term

    growth. Productivity commission estimates GDP raisedby 5.5%

    Low inflationary with $AU 9 billion in consumer gains Structural change creates unemployment

    Long run benefits of competition policy Lower cost structures as there is greater productive efficiency leading to lower

    prices, lower cost-push inflation and greater international competitiveness Increased choice for consumers at lower prices leading to greater consumer

    utility and therefore greater allocative efficiency, which improves livingstandards

    More productive use of resources, freeing up for resource reallocationPublic Sector ReformHilmer Report 1973 recommendations of microeconomic reform in the form of

    privatisation and corporisation Corporisation -

    Public companies become profit driven

    Privatisation Formerly government operated enterprises opened to natural,

    unassisted, profit driven markets exchange of ownership Qantas (privatisation combined with two airline policy): Reduced cost structures to

    remain competitive and enhance productivity Dynamic: Innovative product differential and encourage technological update e.g.

    Airbus acquisition

    Profit: 2008: $AU 618 million, Profit: 2009: $AU 210million

    Low inflationary pressures Structural unemployment

    Financial deregulation (not for structural change) 1985 RBA opened the baking sector releasing 16 new licenses

    This increased competition and reduced the cost of finance, facilitating

    innovative product differential in capital markets. Enhanced technicaland dynamic efficiency

    Permitted investment led growth (cheaper, malleable loans) Floating the Australian dollar raised the competitiveness and

    productivity of Australian exports: enhancing technical efficiency Improved exports enhance BOGS

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    Labour Market The decentralization of the labour market through certified agreements. Accords in 1980s

    Break wage price spiral through tying wage growth to productivity

    gains

    Eliminated wage indexation Through Workplace Relations Ac, collective agreements and AWAs were

    standard wage agreements. Although, Rudds fairness with fairness policydisbanded the latter.

    Certified agreements (enterprise bargaining): Collectively bargained at the enterprise level (usually through unions,

    but not always) in relation to wage adjustments, working conditions,work practices and productivity gains

    Awards: minimm standards of employment LMR has rewarded workers who seek to improve their skills via wage

    increases Multi-skilled workers are more dynamically and technically efficient,

    but also, multi-skilled workers can also move industries more readily,enhancing allocative efficiency

    In this way patterns of production have been directed towards firms

    with the greatest capacity to pay Low inflationary growth International competitiveness

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Decentralised Wage Determination Advantages:

    Increased flexibility more efficient allocation of labour

    Increased productivity

    greater incentive to increase skills trainingand education

    Decreased likelihood of cost push inflation

    Disadvantages

    Market determines wage outcomes based on productivity and skills

    increased wage and income inequality

    Greater labour market segmentation those with greater bargaining

    power have higher wages Fed government has no wage control

    Environmental Regulation Carbon pollution reduction scheme

    Garanaut report 2008 demanded immediate action Rudd proposed a carbon pollution reduction scheme. However, as of

    yet delayed by liberals and greens Proposition: give property rights to carbon

    Various enterprises given fixed permit number for pollution. Failing to

    adhere requires payment of a fine Internalise the externality

    If costs exceed price of new capital, may promote research and

    development QP represents income reallocation to Government for research and

    cleaning

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    Business may pass on costs (inflation). Reduce real income or cut workers toremain competitive

    Environmental regulation challenges Australias resource based growth Framework for the future

    Labour Market Reform Labour is an input in the production process

    Represent upwards of 60% of firms costs

    Objectives Improve the operation of the labour market

    Reduce unemployment Reduce cost-push inflation Raise productivity Responsive to changing economic conditions Flexibility and increases in international compettitivness

    Achieved through Deregulation reducing the role of the AIRC De centralization moving power away from central government

    bargaining to enterprise bargaining

    Problems Prior to 1996 Inadequate differences in wages were not providing clear price signals

    on the demand for particular skills, occupations and industries High minimum wages were contributing to high unemployment among

    youth Unfair dismissal laws were harming the unemployed it was claimed

    that they were discouraging employers from hiring new employees Lack of incentives for the unemployed and other welfare recipients to

    seek employment The accords (MKI-VIII) 1983-1993

    Broke the wage price spiral and wage indexation. Wage increases were matched to productivity increases.

    Workplace Relations Act 1996 Introduction of Australian Work Place agreements (AWAs) and Certified

    Agreements (CAs) Encouraged labour market flexibility and promoted workplace level

    wage bargaining An industrial award system developed for workers unable to negotiate

    enterprise agreements These reforms were designed to reduce unemployment and increase

    labour market responsiveness to structural and cyclical shifts in theproduct market

    Industrial Awards: Applies to workers not covered by enterprise bargaining

    Legal documnet setting out the minimum wage and working conditions

    for employees in an industry or job classification Centrally administered

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    Awards were simplified so that only 20 allowable matters were

    enforceable Annual safety net increase only

    Benchmark against which employment contracts will be judged

    Certified Agreements: An agreement collectively bargained at the enterprise level (usually

    through unions, but not always in relation to wage adjustments,working conditions, work practices ad productivity gains

    (Non wage benefits include superannuation, sick leave, holiday leave, long serviceleave etc.)

    They exist in addition to the award and are renegotiated periodically

    The AIRC certifies the agreements provided they satisfy a no

    disadvantage test which requires that the agreement reached is at leastas favourable to workers as was the appropriate award

    Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs): Individual employment contracts

    Maximises the individual employees ability to create flexible working

    conditions in a negotiated agreement with their employer. The agreement is reviewed by the Employment advocate to ensure that

    it does not breach the no disadvantage test.

    The Workplace Relations Amendment (work choices) Act 2005 Reforms:

    Allowable matter

    20 allowable matter reduced to 16 for awards and 45 for collective agreements andAWAs Unfair dismissal

    Regulations on unfair dismissal will be significantly weakened Firms that employ 100 or fewer persons will be exempt from unfair dismissal claims Businesses employment more that 100 persons must wait 6 months before they can

    pursue an unfair dismissal claim Union involvement:

    Collective bargaining will be hampered by tough restrictions on unions over theirrights to enter workplaces and the right to strike

    Reduction of third party scrutiny of individual contracts:

    The no disadvantage test is removed and replaced by the Fair Pay and ConditionsStandard

    This means that lodgment of the individual contracts (AWAs) with the office of theemployment advocate is allAssessment of Labour Market Policy

    At the heart of the reforms decentralization improves labour market flexibility Wage increases are tied to productivity gains: greater flexibility in

    wage outcomes Reward multi-skilling: dynamically efficient Underperforming workers pressured to improve But also, labour is allocated towards the capacity to pay, which offers a more optimal

    allocation of resources about the economy

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    Raised productivity reduced RULC (real unit labour costs): which makes enterprisemore technically efficient, but it also improves price stability

    GDP (National Income)

    Ultimately achieves low inflationary growth: indicated in figure 1 Productivity gains shifts aggregate supply to he right

    New equilibrium: reduction in inflationary pressures whilst raising real

    GDP Low inflationary growth

    Benefits not purely domestic: international competitiveness raise

    exports CAD improvements

    Also though, productivity produces greater environmental

    sustainability to current production methods As touched on earlier, productivity and real income are linked

    Real income improves with productivity gains (also from growth

    dividend) Increased average living standards

    Greater employment opportunities (particularly for women, teenagers

    and the unskilled) due to fewer restrictions Lower levels of industrial disputation that before the introduction of

    enterprise bargaining through reduced union influence and defineddisputation periods.

    It increased the labour market flexibility;Disadvantages Increaed income inequality especially for those not successful in obtaining an

    enterprise agreement Possibility of employees and employers not having equal bargaining power

    Loss of rights and erosion of minimum standards

    Partly due to less union movement Very difficult to sustain a system that links productivity with wage gains Pattern bargaining potentially replaced true enterprise bargaining where one

    certified agreement with one employed becomes the model of other certifiedagreements

    Erosion of job security Increased causalisation of the workforce Multiple authorities in industrial relations: each IRCs/ industrial which

    increase complexity

    Wokplace relations Amendment (A stronger safety net) Bill 2006

    Introduced Fairness Test and workplace ombudsman

    A balance between decentralisation and right s protection

    Forward with Fairness Policy andFair Work Act 2009 Disbanding AWAs

    Re instated collective agreements and enterprise bargaining as theprimary wage determination mechanism

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    Minimum standards increased from 5 to 10

    Reduced exploitation of workers and promote equality Increased casualisation of workforce Reduced productivity and international competitiveness Wage increases may outstrip productivity gains. If firms are unable to absorb high

    labour costs, they will be passed on consumer, causing inflation and a potential wage-price spiral

    Fair work Australia ministers the certification of CAs applying the better off overalltest

    Structural (skills shortage): Training 18000 nurses (2009 2013)

    Apprenticeship subsidies in over 500 occupations (bridging school and

    employment). Enhances allocative efficiency in moving workers to their best use

    Frictional: Programs as the $4.9b Job Services Australia better connect job

    seekers with opportunities e.g. writing resumes. Enhances dynamicefficiency and capacity to shift

    Removing caps and waiting periods, job seekers can get into the right

    training or get back into the workforce faster and employees can finthe staff they need.