Jen O'Brien: Australians are ‘working tired' and killing productivity with sleep taking a back seat
Jen O'Brien: Australians are 'working tired' and killing productivity with sleep taking a back seat
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The Advertiser
23 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Go to school on AI to ease teacher load, treasurer told
Schools should use artificial intelligence to ease the load on teachers and tackle educational inequity, the government's productivity adviser says. The Productivity Commission also recommended financial incentives for businesses to train workers and to reduce barriers to occupational training in the fourth of five reports it is releasing ahead of the government's economic reform roundtable. Building the nation's skills base is an important part of turning around Australia's ailing productivity performance, the commission found. "A thriving, adaptable workforce will give us the productivity growth we need to see higher wages and better living standards," deputy chair Alex Robson said. "As the pace of change in work and technology continues to accelerate, we need to ensure that workers can acquire the skills they'll need to thrive." The federal government should provide "national leadership" on educational technology and AI in schools, the report recommended. It is hoped the changes would arrest the decline in Australians' foundational skills, which allow workers to learn new abilities and are essential to improving productivity. National education bodies should establish a framework for assessing the quality of edtech tools, undertake a stocktake of what tools are being used and recommend tools for teachers across Australia to use, the commission said. State and territory governments were told to provide professional development and support for teachers to adopt and use AI tools effectively. The report urged the government to create a single nationwide online platform of planning materials for teachers across all states and territories to access. This would particularly help teachers in remote areas or who instruct classes outside of their field of expertise. Promoting the use of AI in schools was one of the recommendations put forward by ChatGPT owner OpenAI in an economic blueprint for Australia released by the Silicon Valley-based tech giant in June. Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the report, saying the government was grateful for the commission's work "in helping us think through some of the big challenges in our economy". "The reason that our government is obsessed with productivity in our economy is because it's the best way to lift living standards over time," he said, as he prepared for his roundtable of business, unions, experts and civil society next week. "Our investments and reforms to boost our human capital are a big part of that, helping workers around the country earn more and keep more of what they earn. "As a Labor government, we'll always back and invest in our workers to make sure we build the human capital and skills we need to grasp the opportunities of the defining decade ahead." While the summit provides a good opportunity for the government to tackle the challenges facing the nation's economy, it came with risks as well, said Zareh Ghazarian, head of Monash University's politics and international relations discipline. "The challenge for the government will be how it manages the expectation that this event will make a real and positive impact on the community," he said. "Politically, entertaining questions on tax reform and productivity may be challenging for the Albanese government, especially as some arguments may go against its policy preferences." Schools should use artificial intelligence to ease the load on teachers and tackle educational inequity, the government's productivity adviser says. The Productivity Commission also recommended financial incentives for businesses to train workers and to reduce barriers to occupational training in the fourth of five reports it is releasing ahead of the government's economic reform roundtable. Building the nation's skills base is an important part of turning around Australia's ailing productivity performance, the commission found. "A thriving, adaptable workforce will give us the productivity growth we need to see higher wages and better living standards," deputy chair Alex Robson said. "As the pace of change in work and technology continues to accelerate, we need to ensure that workers can acquire the skills they'll need to thrive." The federal government should provide "national leadership" on educational technology and AI in schools, the report recommended. It is hoped the changes would arrest the decline in Australians' foundational skills, which allow workers to learn new abilities and are essential to improving productivity. National education bodies should establish a framework for assessing the quality of edtech tools, undertake a stocktake of what tools are being used and recommend tools for teachers across Australia to use, the commission said. State and territory governments were told to provide professional development and support for teachers to adopt and use AI tools effectively. The report urged the government to create a single nationwide online platform of planning materials for teachers across all states and territories to access. This would particularly help teachers in remote areas or who instruct classes outside of their field of expertise. Promoting the use of AI in schools was one of the recommendations put forward by ChatGPT owner OpenAI in an economic blueprint for Australia released by the Silicon Valley-based tech giant in June. Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the report, saying the government was grateful for the commission's work "in helping us think through some of the big challenges in our economy". "The reason that our government is obsessed with productivity in our economy is because it's the best way to lift living standards over time," he said, as he prepared for his roundtable of business, unions, experts and civil society next week. "Our investments and reforms to boost our human capital are a big part of that, helping workers around the country earn more and keep more of what they earn. "As a Labor government, we'll always back and invest in our workers to make sure we build the human capital and skills we need to grasp the opportunities of the defining decade ahead." While the summit provides a good opportunity for the government to tackle the challenges facing the nation's economy, it came with risks as well, said Zareh Ghazarian, head of Monash University's politics and international relations discipline. "The challenge for the government will be how it manages the expectation that this event will make a real and positive impact on the community," he said. "Politically, entertaining questions on tax reform and productivity may be challenging for the Albanese government, especially as some arguments may go against its policy preferences." Schools should use artificial intelligence to ease the load on teachers and tackle educational inequity, the government's productivity adviser says. The Productivity Commission also recommended financial incentives for businesses to train workers and to reduce barriers to occupational training in the fourth of five reports it is releasing ahead of the government's economic reform roundtable. Building the nation's skills base is an important part of turning around Australia's ailing productivity performance, the commission found. "A thriving, adaptable workforce will give us the productivity growth we need to see higher wages and better living standards," deputy chair Alex Robson said. "As the pace of change in work and technology continues to accelerate, we need to ensure that workers can acquire the skills they'll need to thrive." The federal government should provide "national leadership" on educational technology and AI in schools, the report recommended. It is hoped the changes would arrest the decline in Australians' foundational skills, which allow workers to learn new abilities and are essential to improving productivity. National education bodies should establish a framework for assessing the quality of edtech tools, undertake a stocktake of what tools are being used and recommend tools for teachers across Australia to use, the commission said. State and territory governments were told to provide professional development and support for teachers to adopt and use AI tools effectively. The report urged the government to create a single nationwide online platform of planning materials for teachers across all states and territories to access. This would particularly help teachers in remote areas or who instruct classes outside of their field of expertise. Promoting the use of AI in schools was one of the recommendations put forward by ChatGPT owner OpenAI in an economic blueprint for Australia released by the Silicon Valley-based tech giant in June. Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the report, saying the government was grateful for the commission's work "in helping us think through some of the big challenges in our economy". "The reason that our government is obsessed with productivity in our economy is because it's the best way to lift living standards over time," he said, as he prepared for his roundtable of business, unions, experts and civil society next week. "Our investments and reforms to boost our human capital are a big part of that, helping workers around the country earn more and keep more of what they earn. "As a Labor government, we'll always back and invest in our workers to make sure we build the human capital and skills we need to grasp the opportunities of the defining decade ahead." While the summit provides a good opportunity for the government to tackle the challenges facing the nation's economy, it came with risks as well, said Zareh Ghazarian, head of Monash University's politics and international relations discipline. "The challenge for the government will be how it manages the expectation that this event will make a real and positive impact on the community," he said. "Politically, entertaining questions on tax reform and productivity may be challenging for the Albanese government, especially as some arguments may go against its policy preferences." Schools should use artificial intelligence to ease the load on teachers and tackle educational inequity, the government's productivity adviser says. The Productivity Commission also recommended financial incentives for businesses to train workers and to reduce barriers to occupational training in the fourth of five reports it is releasing ahead of the government's economic reform roundtable. Building the nation's skills base is an important part of turning around Australia's ailing productivity performance, the commission found. "A thriving, adaptable workforce will give us the productivity growth we need to see higher wages and better living standards," deputy chair Alex Robson said. "As the pace of change in work and technology continues to accelerate, we need to ensure that workers can acquire the skills they'll need to thrive." The federal government should provide "national leadership" on educational technology and AI in schools, the report recommended. It is hoped the changes would arrest the decline in Australians' foundational skills, which allow workers to learn new abilities and are essential to improving productivity. National education bodies should establish a framework for assessing the quality of edtech tools, undertake a stocktake of what tools are being used and recommend tools for teachers across Australia to use, the commission said. State and territory governments were told to provide professional development and support for teachers to adopt and use AI tools effectively. The report urged the government to create a single nationwide online platform of planning materials for teachers across all states and territories to access. This would particularly help teachers in remote areas or who instruct classes outside of their field of expertise. Promoting the use of AI in schools was one of the recommendations put forward by ChatGPT owner OpenAI in an economic blueprint for Australia released by the Silicon Valley-based tech giant in June. Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the report, saying the government was grateful for the commission's work "in helping us think through some of the big challenges in our economy". "The reason that our government is obsessed with productivity in our economy is because it's the best way to lift living standards over time," he said, as he prepared for his roundtable of business, unions, experts and civil society next week. "Our investments and reforms to boost our human capital are a big part of that, helping workers around the country earn more and keep more of what they earn. "As a Labor government, we'll always back and invest in our workers to make sure we build the human capital and skills we need to grasp the opportunities of the defining decade ahead." While the summit provides a good opportunity for the government to tackle the challenges facing the nation's economy, it came with risks as well, said Zareh Ghazarian, head of Monash University's politics and international relations discipline. "The challenge for the government will be how it manages the expectation that this event will make a real and positive impact on the community," he said. "Politically, entertaining questions on tax reform and productivity may be challenging for the Albanese government, especially as some arguments may go against its policy preferences."
Perth Now
23 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Go to school on AI to ease teacher load, treasurer told
Schools should use artificial intelligence to ease the load on teachers and tackle educational inequity, the government's productivity adviser says. The Productivity Commission also recommended financial incentives for businesses to train workers and to reduce barriers to occupational training in the fourth of five reports it is releasing ahead of the government's economic reform roundtable. Building the nation's skills base is an important part of turning around Australia's ailing productivity performance, the commission found. "A thriving, adaptable workforce will give us the productivity growth we need to see higher wages and better living standards," deputy chair Alex Robson said. "As the pace of change in work and technology continues to accelerate, we need to ensure that workers can acquire the skills they'll need to thrive." The federal government should provide "national leadership" on educational technology and AI in schools, the report recommended. It is hoped the changes would arrest the decline in Australians' foundational skills, which allow workers to learn new abilities and are essential to improving productivity. National education bodies should establish a framework for assessing the quality of edtech tools, undertake a stocktake of what tools are being used and recommend tools for teachers across Australia to use, the commission said. State and territory governments were told to provide professional development and support for teachers to adopt and use AI tools effectively. The report urged the government to create a single nationwide online platform of planning materials for teachers across all states and territories to access. This would particularly help teachers in remote areas or who instruct classes outside of their field of expertise. Promoting the use of AI in schools was one of the recommendations put forward by ChatGPT owner OpenAI in an economic blueprint for Australia released by the Silicon Valley-based tech giant in June. Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the report, saying the government was grateful for the commission's work "in helping us think through some of the big challenges in our economy". "The reason that our government is obsessed with productivity in our economy is because it's the best way to lift living standards over time," he said, as he prepared for his roundtable of business, unions, experts and civil society next week. "Our investments and reforms to boost our human capital are a big part of that, helping workers around the country earn more and keep more of what they earn. "As a Labor government, we'll always back and invest in our workers to make sure we build the human capital and skills we need to grasp the opportunities of the defining decade ahead." While the summit provides a good opportunity for the government to tackle the challenges facing the nation's economy, it came with risks as well, said Zareh Ghazarian, head of Monash University's politics and international relations discipline. "The challenge for the government will be how it manages the expectation that this event will make a real and positive impact on the community," he said. "Politically, entertaining questions on tax reform and productivity may be challenging for the Albanese government, especially as some arguments may go against its policy preferences."
Sky News AU
23 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Electric vehicle road user charge 'almost inevitable', Infrastructure Partnerships Australia CEO Adrian Dwyer declares
A road-user charge that will force electric vehicle drivers to 'pay their fair share' is now 'almost inevitable', an industry leader has declared as the government mulls changes to how drivers are taxed. According to The Australian, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is considering "accelerating work on a modest road-user charge for electric vehicle drivers" as part of major tax reforms. This could mean EV drivers would contribute to road and construction repair. Funds currently mostly come from the fuel excise which accounts for 51.6 cents per litre of petrol or diesel sold in Australia - costing the average household more than $1200 per year. A discussion of the charge was organised by think tank Infrastructure Partnerships Australia where leaders across public policy and industry gathered ahead of next week's productivity roundtable. Infrastructure Partnership Australia's chief executive Adrian Dwyer spoke with Business Now on Monday where he warned a 'terminal decline' in fuel excise meant the government had to widen its scope on vehicle levies. 'It's a good thing that those electric vehicles are coming in for emissions reduction, but they still use roads,' Mr Dwyer said on Business Now. 'Roads have to be paid for and everybody should pay their fair share for making sure that they're built and maintained.' He stressed a road-user charge was an 'update' to the tax system which was 'outdated' and should not be considered a 'new tax'. It comes as New Zealand has already unveiled plans to scrap the fuel excise and instead have all light vehicles, including petrol, diesel, electric and hybrid, pay a levy based on distance travelled and the weight of the vehicle after it implement a trial of the policy. Mr Dwyer pointed to Australia's trans-Tasman neighbours as an example of how a charge could be implemented. 'The sky didn't fall in,' he said. '(The New Zealand government) announced earlier this week that they're extending their program and putting a more user-friendly approach in. 'Many US states are trialling this. This is not novel or unique anymore, it's actually almost inevitable now that this has to be the way we go to update our road system and it can be a way of accelerating uptake of electric vehicles as well.' A road user charge would force wealthy Australians with deep pockets to contribute towards the quality of the nation's roads. Some of the cheapest new Tesla models cost shoppers almost $60,000, while Audi EVs start from about $100,000 and cheap BMWs are about $80,000. The cheapest new EVs in Australia are about $32,000, however, most vehicles start from at least $60,000. Mr Chalmers said in June that the Albanese government was looking to work with various state and territories 'on the future of road user charging'. 'Now all of this represents a big agenda on the supply side of our economy. And none of these reforms are simple,' Mr Chalmers told the National Press Club at the time. 'All of them require sustained collective effort and they'll take time to show up in the data.' The Productivity Commission's report issued last week also called for a national road user charge that would force EV drivers to contribute to road maintenance.
