NEWS AND RESOURCES

On Thursday, the ABS released its labour force statistics for August 2021. They show that while unemployment decreased by 0.1 per cent, the participation rate also decreased significantly. To help make sense of these figures, CEDA Chief Economist Jarrod Ball spoke with University of Melbourne Truby Williams Professor of Economics Jeff Borland.

Yesterday WA released its 2021-22 State budget, unveiling a massive $5.6 billion surplus. Some of the big-ticket items in the budget include an $875 million social housing package and $1.9 billion in extra healthcare funding.

But will the measures announced set Western Australia up for long-term success? 

CEDA Chief Economist Jarrod Ball is joined by our Perth-based Senior Economist Cassandra Winzar to find out more.

The June quarter GDP figures are out, and Australia looks likely to avoid a second recession in two years. 

GDP grew by 0.7%, which ended as the Delta variant took hold in NSW and sparked a wave of lockdowns across the east coast.

So what does this tell us about how the economy entered the extended state lockdown, just how bad is the news for the September quarter, and are we still at risk of a so-called technical recession?

To discuss this, CEDA Chief Economist Jarrod Ball is joined by ANZ Senior Economist, Felicity Emmett.

Rapid antigen tests have become a crucial tool around the world in managing COVID-19, but Australia is only using them in some industries and workplaces.

That’s despite the fact an Australian company created the first rapid COVID test to receive approval for home use in the United States last year.

The Brisbane-based digital diagnostics firm Ellume has a deal with the Biden administration to provide 8.5 million home COVID tests, and its new US manufacturing facility is set to begin production later this year.

CEDA CEO Melinda Cilento spoke with its founder and chief executive, Dr Sean Parsons, about the potential of rapid testing in Australia and his experience developing and manufacturing this technology.

But first Melinda is joined by CEDA Chief Economist Jarrod Ball to talk about some of the other issues we are thinking about at CEDA this week.