Media & Commentary
Media Items
Boosting WA startups: Report calls for investment in talent, diversity and innovation
– WA trails behind other states in key innovation ecosystem metrics – – Overreliance on mining, energy and resources limits growth in emerging fields like AI – – Improving talent, gender diversity and access to capital can transform startup landscape... Read article

Submission to the NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Social Issues: Inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in NSW
This inquiry was established to inquire into and report on the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in New South Wales. BCEC’s response to the inquiry focused on the findings from our report, Stronger Together: Loneliness and social connectedness in... Read article

New report finds the changing nature of work provides new opportunities for workplace gender equality
– Part-time roles dropped by 3.2 percentage points in past two years – – A rise in flexible full-time and hybrid roles has enabled more employee choice – – Labour market is shifting, especially in women’s part-time and flexible work... Read article

Submission on a National Housing and Homelessness Plan Act 2024 (No. 2)
This submission was prepared in response to the inquiry into the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 (No. 2). This inquiry was established in response to the Private Members Bill introduced by Ms Kylea Tink MP and Senator David... Read article

Construction sector kickstart: calls for action on workforce, housing supply and sustainability to revive struggling industry
— High costs, labour shortages and demand putting pressure on the sector — — Up to 1.4 million spare bedrooms in WA highlights failure to use housing stock efficiently — — Calls for more ‘green’ construction, measures to attract workers... Read article

New report finds significant impact of China trade relationship on Australian households
A new report released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) commissioned by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) has quantified the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. BCEC estimates that Australian trade with China increased disposable... Read article

Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth: Inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits available to Australian industry and communities under Free Trade Agreements
This submission was prepared in response to the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth inquiry into benefits of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to Australia. This inquiry was established to report on the understanding and utilisation of benefits available... Read article

Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS: Inquiry into participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia
This submission was prepared in response to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) inquiry into into participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia. The submission highlights findings from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre’s major report,... Read article

Increasing disability employment could boost national economy by billions
— There is a widening employment gap between people with and without disability — — In 2022, only 53.1 per cent of people with work-limiting disability were employed, compared to 81.8 per cent of people without disability — — People... Read article

Senate Inquiry Submission: Worsening rental crisis in Australia
This submission was prepared as a response to the Senate Inquiry into the worsening rental crisis in Australia. The submission highlights two major concerns with rental affordability in Australia; a lack of supply of affordable rental housing and rising rents... Read article

New research finds significant economic impact of Chinese trade on Australian households
New research findings released by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) commissioned by the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) have quantified the economic impact of trade with China on Australian households. Using advanced economic modelling, the research estimates Australia’s trade... Read article

New report highlights wide disparity in Australian business’s gender pay equality performance
– Best performing Australian companies reduced gender pay gaps by 5.3pp in 3 years – – Businesses that conducted a pay audit improved their gender pay gaps – – Despite progress, women continue to be excluded from top salaries –... Read article
