8 Mar 2024

“Digitalisation and the adoption of new technologies, shifts in our industrial base, the energy transformation, demographic change, and serious geopolitical uncertainty are already changing the shape of our economy, and this will continue over the coming decades.” The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Intergenerational Report 2023.

How tomorrow’s Australians live, work, and engage with the world is dependent on such forces – and how we respond to them.

Policymakers and businesses alike are critical to Australia’s future prosperity. The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) states ‘the decisions we make today will shape future generations to come.’ Their recently released annual Economic and Policy Outlook (EPO 2024) report provides valuable analysis to help key decision makers act on the critical issues in the year ahead, and beyond.

To support the launch of the EPO 2024 report, CEDA held a series of forums across the country over the last two weeks attracting some of the country’s top chief economists, politicians, and media commentators. Urbis were privileged to support these important events.

Our own NSW and VIC Regional Directors, Princess Ventura and Matthew Cleary, respectively, hosted and participated at the events across Sydney and Melbourne.

It’s clear that re-thinking cities is on the agenda, with working from home here to stay. How we configure our economies, cities, regions and workplaces to optimise connectivity, productivity and wellbeing is critical.

Matthew Cleary View Profile

Victorian Regional Director Matt Cleary also had the pleasure of leading a session at the official EPO 2024 launch event in Melbourne with the newly appointed national Productivity Commissioner chair, Danielle Wood.

They discussed how Australia should tackle its decades-long productivity problem, uncovering trends in remote work and fast adoption of tech that could reach better solutions for businesses and teams.

 

The often-overlooked aspect of housing activity is that we cannot continue expanding at the rate we have in the last 20 years.

Princess Ventura View Profile

In NSW, Regional Director Princess Ventura led a panel discussion alongside NSW Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat AM FAICD, Michael McGowan, Political Reporter at the SMH and Cassandra Winzar, CEDA Chief Economist.

They explored how targeted infrastructure investments and well-located housing can serve as powerful levers for driving productivity growth in NSW.

Princess said “The often-overlooked aspect of housing activity is that we cannot continue expanding at the rate we have in the last 20 years if we are going to meet the housing challenge before us. We have declining productivity on one hand, and the necessity for innovation on the other.”

“If we want to continue to be globally competitive, we need to tackle productivity as it has gone backwards the last 2 years. While this poses a significant challenge, it also offers an opportunity for positive change. Embracing innovation is imperative for ensuring we are fit for the future.”

Our nation’s ability to meet challenges while seizing future opportunities depends on the choices we make today. Its important that together we make the right decisions and act now.

Urbis is a proud CEDA member.

Princess Ventura View Profile
Matthew Cleary View Profile