Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper by Bill Bowen analyzes the political economy of Australia's unilateral trade and economic reforms from the 1970s through the early 2000s. It examines how the country transitioned from a highly protected 'fixed price country' to a competitive global economy, highlighting the roles of independent research bodies, political leadership, and social compensation mechanisms. The document is intended to provide lessons for South Africa as it considers similar reform paths.

This expert perspective by Tony Maher of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) discusses Australia's challenges in managing the transition from coal-fired power to low-carbon energy. It highlights the socio-economic risks to regional communities and describes a novel collaborative approach used during the closure of the Hazelwood power station to manage redundancies and redeployment across multiple private companies.