The government’s employment services reforms are a welcome step towards a more tailored and supportive system. The next challenge is redesigning the structures and incentives of the system so it empowers people to overcome barriers and find secure, meaningful work.

Global supply shocks are exposing Australia’s dependence on imported materials far beyond fuel alone. Yet many of the waste streams we landfill or export could instead support regional manufacturing, local jobs and a more resilient sovereign industrial capability.

Australia is relying on the wrong taxes and it’s costing growth. The upcoming Federal Budget is an opportunity to begin fixing this by acting on four well-understood reforms.

Without public trust, AI investment won’t deliver results. Building it should be a central focus of Australia’s AI policy.