“Restoring Full Employment”: Further Research Needs

Abstract

This paper outlines some of the deficiencies in the research evidence upon which we were able to draw in putting together the Western Australian Labour Market Research Centre's submission to the Committee on Employment Opportunities, and some further deficiencies that have become evident from reading the Green Paper. Consequently some suggestions are made about further research needs. Broadly speaking, there are four types of research that appear to be necessary. Firstly, there is research which seeks to monitor and evaluate the specific effects of specific policies, such as those that are expected to result from the proposed Job Compact. Secondly, there is the more general research agenda on the operation of labour markets in Australia, which help to shed light on issues of relevance to policy decisions. Thirdly, there is a broader research agenda on issues associated with productivity, competitiveness and economic growth, bearing in mind the importance of a substantial and sustained increase in the underlying rate of economic growth. Finally, there is research which would improve our ability to undertake valuable future orientated scenario modelling simulations.