“Solving Australia’s Productivity Crisis”

Ross Gittins AM FRSN FASSA
Economics Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

Date: Tuesday, 19 August 2025, 12.15 for 12.30 – 2.00 pm AEST
Venue: Union University and Schools Club, 25 Bent Street, Sydney (corner of Bent and Philip Streets)
Enquiries: by email to RSNSW Events 
Registration: Registration is required before 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 12 August 2025; Numbers are limited.
Cost: $75 (RSNSW or UUSC members); $85 (non-members/guests),  Note: the cost has increased slightly as lunch will now be a warm meal.
Flyer: Downloadable from this link
Dress: Smart business casual (jacket preferred); No denim.

Click here to register before
2.00 pm on Monday, 16 June

Solving Australia’s Productivity Crisis

The ongoing theme of the luncheon series is to explore the issue of inequality in Australia.  We are analysing this wicked, complex problem through exploring issues such as: How can we mitigate the consequences of climate change?  Should the very rich continue to accumulate wealth at a much faster rate than the very poor?  How can Australia pay for the levels of service expected by the community while maintaining its security in a rapidly changing, uncertain world?  How can we better utilise resources and protect the environment for future generations?  How can we introduce micro- and macro-economic reform leading to greater economic complexity and driving productivity improvements in a predominantly service-oriented economy?

The issue of productivity growth in Australia is now front and centre of the government’s economic policy framework.  Productivity improvement has been at a virtual standstill for the last decade, and there is broad agreement that this has to change if Australia is to maintain its prosperity.

But the debate over what to do about productivity has been hijacked by too many people with axes to grind.  Yet there are sensible conclusions to be drawn about the causes of our lack of productivity improvement and possible steps we can take to improve matters.

Ross Gittins, one of Australia’s foremost economics commentators, will share his thoughts on this complex challenge.

Ross Gittins is one of Australia’s leading economic commentators and the author of several books.  He is a columnist for The Age and has been the economics editor of The Sydney Morning Herald since 1978.  In 2008, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia.

He has been awarded honorary doctorates by Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, the Australian National University and his alma mater, the University of Newcastle.

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