Although Australia appears to have dodged a bullet in the global financial meltdown, the economic situation across the country is far from even, writes Henry Thornton.
Unemployment
‘$X per job saved’: the ultimate stimulus lie
When you dump a bucket of money into an economy like the government did, it has consequences. But to trot out the cliché that the stimulus has “cost $X for every projected job saved” is facile and dishonest, says Possum Comitatus.
OECD: Financial Crisis killed 25 million jobs
The OECD may have had good news for Australia’s economy, but its global analysis was less rosy, estimating 25 millions jobs have been lost in the GFC carnage.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Kyle and the meeja
Crikey readers continue to weigh in on Steve Fielding’s spelling issues and whether Godwin’s Law will bring down vile Kyle Sandilands.
Political economy: underemployment — what does it mean?
Now its official — a staggering 14% (or so) of Australia’s workforce are unemployed or underemployed, writes Henry Thornton. What a huge waste of resources.
Four million reasons to doubt the jobless data
For the first time the ABS has released a monthly underemployment estimate, with total hours worked dropping for the 13th month in a row. So the economic narrative continues, good news but things remain fragile.
Rudd’s stimulus package is far from perfect
Our resilient economy has fared well due to 25 years of economic reform beginning with the Hawke government, and not simply due to recent governmental quick fixes, writes Sinclair Davidson.
Job ads spike: could unemployment be on the turn?
There are signs the labour market is changing, with job ads registered by the ANZ Bank and the Olivier employment group both showing the first upturn in more than a year.
US unemployment a social powder keg
On the surface, the latest US unemployment data is better than expected, but it hides the real continuing pain and agony across thousands of American cities and towns.
Political economy: employment data spread cheer
Weekend news had US unemployment rising to 10.7 %, but the better news is that the rate of job loss continues to fall, writes Henry Thornton.
If you think Australia’s working, ask someone who isn’t … much
The news on the jobs front of the Australian economy is mixed. While Rudd’s stimulus package has had an effect on unemployment, it masks a significant rise in underemployment.
Unemployment rates: too good to be true?
It’s employers who are keeping the unemployment rate down, but under-employment levels are rising. What difference does it make? Ross Gittins explains.
Waning working hours are cause for concern
Celebrations of Australia’s gravity-defying unemployment rates are premature, says Stephen Long — the erosion of working hours are still cause for concern, and will still hit households where it hurts.
Rich unemployed are good news for the budget bottom line
The budget deficit will come in at a much smaller number than is currently being projected. Possum Comitatus explains how.
Just 800 more jobless for July
Despite gloomy expectations, Australia’s jobless rate remained steady at 5.8% last month, with a sharp, 32,000 rise in the number of people who found work.
Australia: land of 150 economies
What has the GFC done to the Australian economy? That depends where you live, says Possum Comitatus. The maps tell the story.
Unemployment by electorate
Possum Comitatus gets wonky with the latest jobless figures, breaking down unemployment by electorate in a handy series of colour-coded maps.
Rudd: Aim low, kids!
Kevin Rudd has urged Gen Y to get real about their job prospects in the current economic climate: “I’m not saying we should tell young people not to dream and strive and have ambition.” But…
Unemployment around the world
This visual representation of unemployment trouble-spots around the globe shows Australia isn’t doing all that badly, comparatively speaking.
The myth of the “recession-proof” job
The media is quick to slap the “recession-proof” label on just about any job these days — from lawyers to garbos — but the reality is that no-one remains unaffected by the recession, says Greg Burns — even the wealthy.
Companies struggle to plug online leaks
More and more workers are leaking embarrassing and confidential information from their workplace (or former workplace) online, fueled by a rise in both unemployment and the popularity of social networking. This just in: The Crikey office is out of biscuits.
It’s not over ’til it’s over: 5 reasons why
A slew of commentary this week proclaiming the economic crisis over officially needs a reality check, says Peter Coy.
Kohler: Mobilising the retail army
It seems women can deny themselves shoes and clothes for only so long; as soon as it’s safe to go back into the stores, they’re there, plastic drawn.
Australian unemployment at 6-year high
Local unemployment has hit 5.8%, the highest rate in six years, after the number of people in jobs fell by 21,400 in June.
US jobs figures quash optimism
Instead of the 350-360,000 job losses forecast by the market, the actual figure was a gut-crunching 467,000. So much for green shoots.
