The push for productivity in Australia must turn to *how* change is implemented. Cameron Begley and Greg Harper argue that innovation is the missing catalyst, a change that must be led from the boardroom. They revisit Porter's Value Chain to frame how boards can set the culture, risk appetite, and strategy needed to drive real productivity gains.

New research examining 80+ international innovation districts reveals what drives success. From MIT's Kendall Square to Singapore's One North, thriving ecosystems integrate placemaking, economics, business development and governance. Success comes from institutional capabilities and relationships, not impressive buildings. Australian policymakers can learn from global best practices whilst avoiding common pitfalls like property-led development models

Australia’s productivity woes stem from more than tax or regulatory inertia. As Emeritus Professor Roy Green argues, decades of industrial decline, underinvestment in research, and a failure to embrace strategic transformation have left the economy exposed to global shocks and wage stagnation. Green outlines a pragmatic agenda for industrial renewal—joining up policy, innovation, and workforce development—to secure Australia’s economic future.

In today’s constrained fiscal environment, governments are rightly asking hard questions. Why should public funds support innovation districts and precincts unless there is clear evidence of productivity uplift, industry renewal, or public benefit? This Insight explores the economic, industrial, and civic value of innovation ecosystems. It argues for a shift in focus—from short-term outputs to long-term productivity gains. It also offers a practical framework for measuring wh

With 30 Ministers and a growing cohort of Assistant Ministers, the Second Albanese Ministry is structured for delivery. But is that enough? This new Insight explores how administrative consolidation may be masking a retreat from bold reform, especially in research, innovation, and productivity