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9 October 2026

Why does Australia have a productivity problem? - podcast

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Source reporting: Guardian Australia Politics

Why does Australia have a productivity problem? - podcast

Improving economic productivity is crucial for raising living standards, and Australia’s productivity growth has been sluggish for years. When the Reserve Bank hiked interest rates to a 15 year high last week, the governor, Michele Bullock, even described productivity as ‘doing nothing’. The chair of the Productivity Commission, Danielle Wood, speaks with political editor Tom McIlroy about the policy challenges of encouraging AI integration, improving housing affordability and managing the impacts of the climate crisis Australia’s economic challenges are mounting as deaths start to outnumber births. But ‘baby bonus’ policies would be pointless – Nicki Hutley Australian consumer confidence plunges to worst level since 1990s after RBA rate rise

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9 October 2026

Plans for Sydney’s controversial new public square in doubt after NSW government intervention

State planning minister declares project ‘state significant’, wresting approval process away from local council Plans for a grand new public square in centre of Sydney are in doubt after the New South Wales planning minister declared the project “state significant”, wresting the approval process away from the City of Sydney. The lord mayor, Clover Moore, released renders in August for the plaza opposite Sydney’s town hall. The design for the space, which the council had expected to be completed by 2031, include a semi-circular clearing projecting eastwards towards Hyde park, with a fountain and a grove of native trees.

Source: The Guardian WorldOriginal source

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