Business and government

A recent UK trial of a four-day work week produced largely positive results, with over 90% of the organisations involved planning to continue the experiment. Some organisations found the experiment difficult to achieve with staff shortages already intensifying workloads for many employees, making it difficult for to increase work intensification even further. Decent, respectable work should focus on work-life balance, reducing workloads, and providing sufficient resources while engaging workers in direct discussions about their working preferences says Professor Paula Brough.

The Australian Treasurer, The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers, has announced a review of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) functions, mainly its monetary policy framework. Dr Parmendra Sharma writes that the review has essentially been Federal Government’s response to public anger relating to several consecutive interest rate hikes over the past year.

Considerable recent attention has been drawn towards Australia’s superannuation system, and the potential need for legislative and regulatory amendments. Australian Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers wants to limit concessions and benefits to taxpayers with over $3 million in superannuation funds. Professor Rob Bianchi takes a look at the impacts and implications of these likely changes.

The cryptocurrency ecosystem continues to grow and attract more interest across the globe. It is becoming progressively intertwined with traditional financial markets, evidenced by a steady increase in the number of managed funds holding cryptocurrency assets on their balance sheets. FinTech expert Will Banks looks at the risks and returns.

In Australia, crypto-assets do not fall within the existing regulatory perimeter of financial products and services and are generally unregulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). However, crypto-assets have been classified as a commodity by major global regulators and industry for years. Will Banks looks at how to address this regulatory confusion and strengthen Australia as a serious crypto destination.