Economic Perspective 30 January 2026

The Latest Trending Economic News Curated for You by Balmoral Group Australia

Good morning readers,

This week’s articles highlight a set of issues that are increasingly shaping Australia’s economic, environmental, and institutional landscape. From record-breaking global temperatures and the accelerating impacts of climate change, to concerns around illegal e-waste exports and the growing pressure of plastic waste on local councils, each piece points to the rising cost of inaction and the need for better-designed policy, regulation, and investment decisions. The proposal for a four-day work week in local government also raises important questions around productivity, workforce resilience, and long-term service delivery.

Collectively, these stories reflect challenges BGA continues to examine through an economic lens -supporting evidence-based decision-making across energy transition, waste and circular economy, local government reform, and climate resilience. 

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Council staff vote for 4-day week 

The city of Launceston could become the first Australian government body where staff work four days a week. Council workers are set to vote on the proposal next month, which would see hours reduced but salaries remain the same. Staff would also receive a range of improved wage, allowance and leave entitlements. Read more here..

Councils swamped by plastic waste 

Companies should be mandated to reclaim, recycle and reuse their commercial packaging and plastic, says the national peak body for local government.

“Local councils are overwhelmed by rising volumes of packaging and plastics,” Australian Local Government Association President Matt Burnett said. “Councils and ratepayers already carry a significant cost burden – they can’t afford to bear the additional cost of doing nothing.” Read more here.

Fossil fuels are dommed- and Trump can't save them 

The past three years have been the world’s hottest on record. In 2025, Earth was 1.44°C warmer than the long-term average, perilously close to breaching the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5°C. This warming is fueling Australia’s current record-breaking heatwave. Other consequences are visible globally, from Iran’s crippling drought to catastrophic wildfires and unprecedented floods in the United States to deadly cyclones hitting southern Asia. If you are interested in knowing more, click here.

GPS trackers in e-waste from Australia reveal 'likely' illegal exports to South-East Asia  

New data from GPS trackers installed in hazardous e-waste from Australia reveals "likely" illegal exports to South-East Asia, based on findings from a United States-based not-for-profit environmental group. The Basel Action Network (BAN) installed GPS devices in 35 LCD computer monitors and printers and dropped them off at recycling locations in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in February 2025. Nearly a year on, the organisation has early results of the investigation, which it has shared with the ABC. Read more here.

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