The health system is at the heart of some of Australia’s strongest fiscal pressures.
AAP Image/Cleo Fraser
Following our series on Tony Abbott’s five pillars of the economy, today we look at a sector overlooked by the prime minister.
China should be a source of major opportunities for the Australian services sector, but these elude us.
Image sourced from www.shutterstock.com
In our final piece on the five pillars of the economy, we look at services. It’s the great economic hope - but opportunities in the burgeoning Asian market elude us.
Manufacturing’s share of Australia’s gross domestic product has fallen from 12.9% in 1979 to 6.2%.
Image sourced at www.shutterstock.com.au
There is a future for manufacturing in Australia - but we need to follow some international lessons to build a competitive knowledge-based economy.
As economic growth in China moderates, so will its demand for Australia’s raw materials.
AAP Image/Alan Porritt
The mining boom is over and the industry is employing fewer workers – but the outlook for mining in Australia seems generally good.
Education is a central economic pillar, but of greater importance is its contribution to our society.
Flickr/Bb Inthavong
Education is a central pillar of our economy. Not only does the education sector employ nearly 8% of Australian workers, it is our fourth largest export earner.
Agriculture remains a major employer in Australia but the challenges of competition, food security and climate change are on the horizon.
AAP image/supplied by Graincorp
As the Coalition government prepares its second budget, how is the “five pillar” economy promised by Tony Abbott faring?